Donald Wade “Don” McBay
Donald Wade “Don” McBay passed away Jan. 1, 2022 in Fairfield, Tx. at the age of 78.
He was born Aug. 30, 1943 in Mexia, Texas to A. B. and Udean Milburn McBay. On Sept. 6, 1964, in Jefferson, Texas, he married his lifelong partner, Jerri Earlene Roberts.
Don was in public education for 33 years. He taught junior high science in Mesquite, Tx., while attending East Texas State University in Commerce to earn his master’s degree in counseling. He and his family then moved to Bryan, Tx., where he worked as a publicschool counselor for six years.
They moved to Fairfield, Tx., in 1974, where he retired, after working 24 years as a counselor for Fairfield High School. Don had not planned to retire, but it became necessary as his health declined.
He and Jerri moved to Dew, Tx. for about eight years, where Don enjoyed the country-life.
As his health continued to deteriorate, they moved back into Fairfield, because he was concerned about Jerri living in the country alone. He wanted to get established in a neighborhood where she would be safe, while he was still alive. After moving into their new home, he enjoyed spending evenings on the back porch watching the birds and other critters that wandered into the yard.
Don enjoyed fishing and deer hunting in his youth. He started hunting at the age of 16 and continued until he was 75, and was no longer strong enough to enjoy the trips to the lease. Although Don did little hunting over the last 10 or so years, he still enjoyed spending time with his deer-lease family, some of whom had been friends since childhood.
Don also enjoyed going on vacations. Once he and Jerri discovered the area north of Pagosa Springs, they returned whenever they could. When traveling with a trailer became too difficult, they stayed in cabins at Sportsman’s Campground. He became good friends with campground employees and campers during this time.
Each summer from 1979 until 2010, family and friends of Don McBay and Bob Hamilton would spend a week either in Rockport or Port Aransas. As the families grew, the group grew, and one summer, there were as many as 23 people who spent a week at the beach.
Time with family and friends was always an important part of Don’s life.
Don was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Fairfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents, A. B. and Udean McBay; son, Jeffrey Keith McBay; and grandson, Jeffrey Scott McBay.
Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jerri McBay of Fairfield; son Scott McBay and daughter, Renee` McBay; granddaughter, Cameron Harmon and husband, Kyle of Maurice, La.; sisters, Diana McBay Bradley of Waco and Janet McBay Caddy of New Iberia, La.; niece, Ryan Lynn Burleigh; and nephews, Jay Daniels, Stephen Bradley and Mark Bradley.
Memorials may be made to the LaSalle Cemetery, P. O. Box 215 or charity of choice.
Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4, in the LaSalle Cemetery with Kyle Roberts, Tommy Roberts and Karl Kimsey officiating. Pallbearers will be Tyler Barker, Jake Cherry, Frank Barker, Keb Roberts, Koby Roberts and Bryan Chavers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Hamilton, Warner Dean Hancock, Von Wade, Don Posey, Jimmy Clark and Maurice Burleson.
Visitation with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m., Monday at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.
Please visit www.blairstubbs.com to leave the family a message of condolence or sign the guest book.