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Julian Lavon McDonald, age 85, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2010. He is survived by his former high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years, Betty, born Elizabeth Louise Meyer; six of their seven children; fourteen grandchildren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren. His daughter Janice preceded him in death less than two years ago. The other children are daughters, Joyce Walter and husband, Bill, Julie McDonald Sharpe, and Patti Underwood and husband, Dick; and sons, Tim and wife Janet, Tom, and Greg. Lavon will remain a treasured and powerful memory for all who were privileged to know him. A dues-paid-in-full member of the Greatest Generation, Lavon led a remarkable life and touched many with his compassion, generosity, humor, and strength of character. Born in 1924 in Bovina, Texas, son of a highway contractor and grandson of a true cowboy, he traveled extensively throughout New Mexico during his youth, accompanying his father from one road project to another. During World War II, his older brother Ray, a B-17 pilot, was shot down over Germany and was being held in a POW camp. As soon as he was old enough to get away with it, Lavon fudged a bit on his age and joined the Army Air Corps himself, becoming a B-24 pilot flying out of England--he turned 21 while flying a bombing raid over "Hitler's Hide Out" near Berchesgaden in the Austrian Alps. Returning from Europe, Lavon continued his studies at UNM and in 1948 became the first in his rather large extended family to be awarded a college degree. (He later earned a UNM Masters degree. Lavon was always proud of the fact that each of his seven children holds at least a Bachelor's degree from UNM, as do several of his grandchildren; three of his great-grandchildren are currently UNM undergraduates.) While at the University, Lavon played in three bowl games, and remains the last athlete from UNM to earn a letter in both football and basketball as well as the last to letter in three sports in the same academic year, track and field being the third. Upon graduation, he moved his family to Santa Fe, where he had accepted a position as assistant football coach and history teacher. He stayed at Santa Fe High School, ultimately becoming head football coach and Athletic Director, until 1965 when he accepted an offer to join the Student Aids office at UNM. In 1972 he achieved a lifelong goal by being named Athletic Director at UNM, succeeding his former high school football coach Pete McDavid in that position. Lavon's major accomplishments before leaving this post in 1979 were the construction of the football stadium press box, the first expansion of the Pit (adding the mezzanine seating), and the successful negotiations that resulted in UNM hosting the 1983 NCAA Basketball Final Four, an event that still brings pride to the hearts of Lobo fans. In retirement Lavon stayed active in advising his sons Tom and Greg in various business ventures and continued to relish his role as the beloved patriarch of his growing clan. They will all miss their "Bon" as much as they will cherish his memory. Rosary will be recited Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 am, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave. NE with interment to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be grandsons; Scott Walter, Major Shane McDonald, Todd McDonald, Gunnery Sergeant Mike Ryan, Patrick Ryan, and granddaughters' husbands; Jeff Stueber, Brian Ketner, and Alex McBain. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Presidential Scholarship Program at the University of New Mexico through the UNM Foundation, Two Woodward Ctr., 700 Lomas NE, Suite 108, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Please visit our online guestbook for "Bon" at RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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