Obituary of Robert Mark McDonald

Mark McDonald, age 55, of Fort Worth, Texas passed away unexpectedly while hiking in Davis Mountains State Park on December 26, 2017. This was a meaningful place for Mark as he loved time in God’s creation and created many memories with family members he had taken there.Mark is survived by his wife and the woman he completely adored, Tess, with whom he shared much love and laughter for over 30 years. He is also survived by two children, Rachel and Chase, whom he loved deeply.Mark was born March 20, 1962 to Betty and Robert Sandy McDonald in Fort Worth. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1980 and received a BS in Mathematical Sciences from Baylor University in 1984. He then started his training in the Navy, eventually becoming a nuclear submarine officer. He served in the Navy in this capacity until 1989 and was able to lead a historic mission to the North Pole. He obtained his M.B.A. at SMU Cox School of Business.Mark was an operations excellence executive, most recently as an independent consultant. He had previously worked with Accenture, the George Group and American Airlines.He was an involved member of Hope Church because of his great love for Christ and his church body. He desired to live his life in a way that proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ and was committed to knowing the Word of God and growing in his faith. He enjoyed serving on his mission trips to Thailand, Mexico and Nicaragua.Mark was an avid reader and a true lifelong learner. He found great delight in life and enjoyed laughter and music. Because he valued relationships, he was intentional in how he loved people. His devotion to his aunt’s care in these last few years is a testament to his faithfulness and love.In addition to his wife, Tess, and children Rachel and Chase, he is also survived by his father, Robert Sandy McDonald and his wife Pat; his brother, Brent McDonald; he is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Lizeth Carreon McDonald; son-in-law, Dalton Forman; his aunts, Alpha Jean Lea and Dorothy Hughes; cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and many nephews and nieces whom will cherish the time they had with him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Jo McDonald.