Thomas Howard McDonald

     As an educator, humanitarian, and legislator, T.H. McDonald devoted most of his adult life to the promotion of education and a better life for youth.     Thomas Howard McDonald was born in Bedias, Texas on November 20, 1900, and lived there until he entered Huntsville High School.  After high school, Thomas maintained a high academic record at Sam Houston State College where he lettered in football, baseball, and track. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, he excelled in debate, served two years as president of the student council and choral club, and was voted‚ "Best All-Around Boy" for 1925. Thomas eventually earned his bachelors degree from Sam Houston, and a Masters from the University of Texas.

     In 1926, T.H. was married to the former Era Lee Cook of Center, Texas. They had one son, T.H. Junior, who eventually went on to serve as a high school principal in Katy, Texas. During his forty-eight year teaching career, "Mr. Mac" worked in a wide variety of regions throughout Texas, and was widely known for his contributions to education as a teacher, athletic coach, principal, public relations director, and superintendent.

     Mr. McDonald's tenure as superintendent spanned 36 years, with 14 of those years being with Mesquite ISD (1950 -1964). During his term as Mesquite's Superintendent, Mr. McDonald oversaw a rapidly growing area. The only factory in town at the time of his hiring was a brick making company, so there was very little taxation coming in through business ventures or the private citizenry. As a result, he resorted to writing articles for the local Texas Mesquiter newspaper to inform parents how their tax dollars were being spent and how important it was for them to support increased funding for Mesquite's swelling student ranks. When he came in as superintendent, Mesquite ISD housed 1,200 pupils in one high school and one elementary school building. When he left, 9 new schools had been built with another half dozen on the way needed for the city's 10,800 pupils.

      After serving in Mesquite, Mr. McDonald served as a state representative for District 331. As a representative, he was known as a tireless fighter for consumer protection and ethics reform. A highlight of his term was his efforts on behalf of school finance reform, where he fought for increased teacher wages and a greater share of state funds to districts who could not afford to spend as much per pupil as some of the larger, wealthier districts.

Photographed in Austin while serving as a Texas State Representative