Donald McAlister (Mac) Long Sr.
Donald McAlister (Mac) Long Sr. was born in Jackson County on February 6, 1935 to the late John Henry Long Sr. and Julia McAlister Long. The family moved to Navidad, Texas when he was about one year old where he resided until he was drafted into the US Army. He served in active duty from 1957 to 1959 and in the reserves until 1963.
He made a visit to some of his siblings in Hurley, New Mexico where he met his wife, Helen Bragg Long. They were married on July 2, 1960 in Bayard, New Mexico. They traveled back to Edna, Texas where they made their home. They were blessed with 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Donald worked for Alcoa as an instrumentation and electrical tech and retired in 1996 after 37 years. He loved to hunt and fish, and he and his wife Helen loved spending summers in Colorado and New Mexico. Especially Red River, which held a special place in their hearts. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at Whataburger with the 2 pm coffee club and watching Fox News, particularly Tucker Carlson.
Donald was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father, pawpaw, great pawpaw and friend. He was a very wise and simple man. He led by example, went about his good deeds quietly, and gave great advice.
He was a faithful member of the Robinson Street Church of Christ in Edna, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Julia McAlister Long. His wife, Helen Bragg Long and their daughter Sandra Long Smith. Siblings: Grace Harvey, Clarence H. (Buck) Long, Cleo Huey, Alexander (AJ) Long, Ina Mae Baker, John Henry Long Jr. and Edna Talley.
He will live on in the lives of his daughters Denise Kubala (Tommy) and Donette Ellington (Charles), and son, Donald Mac Long Jr (D’Anna). His sister-in-law Yvonne Long, grand children: Brandon Kubala (Amanda), Matthew Kubala (Holly), Kassie Hicks (Cole), Kathryn Quinn (Jordan), Colten Ellington, Kayla Strelec (Jack), Megan Musso (Charlie), Sam Smith (Savannah), Mac Henry Long (Kayla), Molly Caillouet (Michael), Bethany Long and Logan Long. Great grandchildren: Collin, Clayton, Kaleb, Kenan and Karson Kubala. Kassidy, Campton, Keegan, Callaway, McAlister, Koop and Willa Hicks. Covington, Holland, Crew and Perri Quinn. Sutton and Emerson Strelec. Sophie, Charles and Leo Musso and Mac Henry Long Jr. (MJ).
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Brandon Kubala, Matthew Kubala, Samuel Smith, Mac Long and Logan Long and great grandson Campton Hicks. Honorary pallbearers will be Colten Ellington, The Whataburger 2 pm Coffee Club and the amazing staff and residents at Grow In Grace Ganado.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 9:30 – 10:30. The funeral service will be Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 10:30 am, followed by interment at the Memory Gardens of Edna.
Both services will be held at the Slavik Chapel in Edna, Texas, 209 N. Allen St. 361-782-2152, under the direction of Russell Todish.