Donald Joseph MacKay

Donald Joseph MacKay, of Abilene, peacefully passed away from this life into internal life on August 11, 2014, after an 18 year battle with lung disease. He is finally united with the love of his life, Donna, his wife of 44 years. Don, known by his closest friends and family as “Pep”, was born in Laredo, Texas to James Martin Luther MacKay and Grace Mary Murphy MacKay on April 17, 1932. Don attended private schools in Monterrey, Mexico. He married Donna Jean Martin of Georgetown, Texas on January 31, 1961 and they enjoyed nearly 44 wonderful years together. Don spent most of his career in the graphics design industry in both Austin and San Antonio, Texas where he was involved in many social, charitable and political organizations before moving with Donna to Abilene in 1996 to be closer to their daughters. Throughout his life Don was selfless. He loved people and people loved him. He never met a stranger. Don would have given the shirt off of his back for anyone. It didn’t matter who you were, he treated you the same. He was the type of person that drew people to him because of his vibrant, witty and magnetic personality, all of his stories, the twinkle in those blue eyes and that magical smile (smirk) that he always had on his face. He embraced life like no one else until the very end. With family and friends he loved to play pranks and was always making sure the people around him were having fun. He loved learning, reading, and watched sports and racing. He also enjoyed building and fixing things around the house, tinkering with cars, gardening, woodworking and most especially playing pool with his wife and friends. Preceding Don in death were his parents, two brothers, James and Gordon, his wife, Donna, two sons, Donald James MacKay and James Owen MacKay. Don is survived by his two daughters, Gina L. MacKay, of Abilene, and Kelly MacKay Cannon and husband, Paul, of Abilene, two brothers, Johnny MacKay and wife, Reggie, and Patrick MacKay and wife, Anna, all of Monterrey, Mexico, two grandchildren, Alia Faust Rose and Anairon Faust, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, along with numerous great-grandchildren and his beloved cat, “Boo Kitty”. The family will host a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15th at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, August 16th, in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories, 5701 Hwy 277 South in Abilene, with Father Sam Matthiesen of Holy Family Catholic Church and Dr. Phil Christopher of First Baptist Church of Abilene officiating. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601, and Rescue the Animals, SPCA, 4620 North First St., Abilene, TX 79603. The family of Don MacKay wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Thomas Woodward, Dr. Robert Totoe, Dr. Ralph Heaven, Dr. Preston Tate, all of the nurses associated with Hendrick Hospice Care, Hendrick Medical Center, Texas Oncology of Abilene and all of our outstanding friends at Hendrick Pulmonary Rehabilitation for their many years of dedication and service.