DONALD WAYNE MCWHORTER
FEBRUARY 3, 1942 - MARCH 4, 2023
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD SON: Don was born to Grady and Marie (Hancock) McWhorter in O’Brien, Texas in 1942. He moved with the family to Borger where he was raised with his 4 sisters
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND: Don married Mildred Cole on October 12, 1959 in Borger, Texas. They moved to Fort Ord, California, and Fort Benning, Georgia, where they had their two children. They then moved to Brownfield, Texas, where they served as the Parsonage Family at Parkview Methodist Church, and Don was Ordained while serving there. He pastored First United Methodist Church Ropesville and attended Texas Tech. They then moved to Wesley United Methodist Church in Hereford where Don attended and graduated with a Bachelors and Masters Degree at West Texas State University. He also attended Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology Pastors School in the summers. Through all of these moves, Don maintained his duties as a good husband while Millie helped with his school work and served as Church Secretary in all of Don’s assignments. He helped with the child care and household duties and loved Millie with all his heart. They moved back to Brownfield where they made their home for 46 years as they both worked for Brownfield Schools. After retirement he took her traveling all over the USA in their motor home. After they both became disabled, Don cared for Millie in assisted living until her death in 2021. They were married for 61 and a half years.
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD STUDENT: Don attended Buenavista Elementary School, Fritch Junior High, Phillips High School, Texas Tech, West Texas State and Southern Methodist Universities.
HETRIEDTOBEAGOODFATHER: Donna was born in 1962 and Michael in 1964. He raised them with good Christian values and prepared them to be successful adults.
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD TEACHER: Don taught Special Education in Hereford for two years. He moved to Brownfield High School where he served as Vocational Adjustment Coordinator and Student Council Advisor. He created the Training Center to prepare Special Needs Students to work and care for themselves. Don then taught History, Special Ed, Media and Speech and served as Student Council Advisor at Middle School until his retirement in 1997.
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD SOLDIER: Don joined the Army after High School and served in Korea as an Infantryman and Chaplains Assistant. He then served as a Personnel Specialist and Supervisor in Fort Benning, Georgia. He served seven plus years and attained the grade of Staff Sergeant. He received The Army Commendation Medal, The American Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal second Award and the Expert Marksman Medal. After College, he joined the Texas State Guard and served as Commander of Company E in Brownfield. Don was then Commissioned as the Battalion Chaplain and was later promoted to Military Police Group Commander and retired as a Colonel in 1989.
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN: Don served one term as a Brownfield City Council Member. He served as a member of the Terry County Senior Citizens Center and participated in many civic activities. He was a Member of The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Disabled American Veterans.
HE TRIED TO BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN: Don was active in the First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for 25 years, sang in the Choir, and served many positions on the Church Board. He was active in the Terry County Ministerial Alliance and served as President and then Treasurer for 10 years. He helped to found and served on the board of The Interfaith Center Thrift Store. He founded the Backyard Mission program that built wheelchair ramps for handicapped citizens. He served as Volunteer Police Chaplain and Brownfield Regional Medical Center Chaplain for over 20 years. After moving into Brookdale Shadow Hills Assisted Living Center, Don volunteered as Resident Chaplain. Don is survived by his daughter Donna and her husband Russell Moore of Puyallop, Washington; his son Michael of Nashville, Tennessee; one grandson Eric Moore and his wife Carrie of Auburn, Washington; two great-granddaughters Olivia and Kaylee Moore of Auburn, Washington, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
The Family suggests memorials to Brownfield United Family Fellowship, 1004 E. Broadway, Brownfield, TX 79316.
Services for Don are pending at this time.
Donald Wayne McWhorter: HE TRIED then HE DIED -- Simple Epitaph
DONALD WAYNE MCWHORTER FEBRUARY 3, 1942 - MARCH 4, 2023
