Longtime West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald passed away Sunday. He was 82 years old.
McDonald retired as mayor in 2021 after serving the citizens of West Orange for thirty years, 26 as mayor. He served on numerous committees including the Orange County Housing Authority, the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, and the Texas Municipal League. He was also a deacon and Sunday School teacher at McDonald Baptist Church.
Longtime City Secretary Theresa VanMeter said, “Roy McDonald was, without doubt, one of the finest Christian men I have ever known – a man of integrity and true faith. I was privileged and blessed to work for him for 20 years and I witnessed countless times when he put his faith into action…helping anyone he could whenever and wherever he could. He was dedicated to his wife and family, his church, his community and his friends. Thank you, Mr. Roy, for being my friend. You will indeed be missed.”
A native of Glenmora, Louisiana, McDonald came to Texas in 1966 to take a job at Dupont, from which he retired after 32 years of employment there.
McDonald started “Mayors’ Breakfasts” to improve communications and working relationships with other leaders in the county. During his tenure as mayor West Orange oversaw the construction of a new City Hall, new Fire and Police Stations, and numerous drainage and street projects.
McDonald’s wife La Verne, passed away in March. Services will be posted on KOGT when received.
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