Roll Call Tribute

Charles Newman McDonald 

April 5, 1929 - May 22, 2024 

Dr. Charles Newman McDonald passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024, at the age of 95.

A loving father who kept God and family first, he was an avid outdoorsman and loved golf and fishing as well as attending his beloved Texas Aggie football games throughout the years.

Charlie grew up in Port Arthur, Texas where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1947.

He began his college career at Lamar Junior College in Beaumont, Texas before transferring to Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M he played defensive back for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies from 1949 – 1952 and graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

After graduation he served in the Air Force as a courier. Once he completed his service, he returned to Texas A&M University to study veterinary medicine, completing his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1959.

He was a recipient of the TVMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 1983, the TVMDL Diagnostician of the Year Award in 1988, and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M in 2005.

Charlie’s love of Texas A&M University transcended sports and academics.

He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in College Station and friend of Fr. Elmer who ultimately presided over his marriage to the love of his life — Barbara.

They married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg, Texas in 1959 and made their home in the Rosenberg-Richmond area for the past 65 years.

Dr. Mc began practice as a veterinarian with Dr. Charlie Banker in Rosenberg before opening his own practice, Rose-Rich Veterinary Clinic, in 1964 in Richmond, Texas.

While the clinic was a general practice, Charlie Mc would often be seen in his truck traveling between calls throughout Ft. Bend and neighboring counties, working primarily on large animals. Charlie had an incredible work ethic, was true to his word and expected those qualities in his kids and assistants.

He loved his work as a veterinarian and would often be called out to work on a cow trying to calve in a wet pasture or a colicky horse in the late hours of the night.

He was dedicated to his field and served as President of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and on the Board of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

He retired from his practice at the age of 82.

As a dad to his daughter and two sons, Charlie always instilled humility, respect, and discipline in his children and his children’s friends.

He and Barbara were a team; attending Sunday Mass without fail, enjoying many family vacations, and adding another family pet.

Whether he was coaching your golf swing, teaching you to rope, or playing you at gin, he gave no slack. He taught you to be as good a loser as a winner.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father William and mother Frances McDonald, his brother, William (Bill) and son in law, Austin Tong.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara Rose (Ernstes), daughter, Mary Kathleen (Tong), sons Charles Patrick (Christin), and Daniel Michael (Mary Ann). He is survived by six grandchildren: Ali Willard (Kyle), Matt McDonald, Hannah Rose Tong, Charlie, Claire and Sara Catherine McDonald.

“Papa Mac” will be sorely missed; he set the bar high and was an exceptional dad, grandfather, and friend. A very special thanks to his most loving and tender caregivers, Charity, Susan, Catherine, and UK.

Honorary Pallbearers – John (Jug) Kiker, Dr. Pancho Hubert, Dr. Don McDonald, Dr. Joe David Ross, David Winters, and Dr. Tucker Robinson. Pallbearers – Matt McDonald, Charlie McDonald, Pierce Holt, Ben Jones, Dr. Lewis R. ‘Bud’ Dinges, Frank Johnson, Chip Davis, Jack Moore, and Ray Moore.

Funeral Arrangements are under direction of Garmany- Cardin Funeral Directors. Visitation and Rosary will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, Texas on Monday, May 27 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations might be made to the Texas A & M School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Mary’s Catholic Parish College Station, Texas or Carmelites of Our Lady of Grace, Christoval, Texas.