Donna and Clarence (Mac) McCoy

Published 3:05 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Together for 73 Years, Die One Day Apart

Donna Mae McCoy, age 93, died peacefully at home in Bend on Feb. 10, 2015, surrounded by her family and husband of 73 years, Mac. Clarence (Mac) Ernest McCoy, age 92, died one day later. They lived in Bend for 45 years.

Childhood sweethearts, Donna and Mac were married in September of 1941. At the time of their marriage, Mac was a member of the National Guard unit in Marshfield, Oregon. Due to unrest throughout the world in 1940, Mac’s unit was activated and assigned to the defense of the Columbia River basin at Fort Stevens. Before his dependency discharge could be finalized, Japan’s navy bombed Pearl Harbor and Mac and Donna were in “for the duration.” Early in 1942, Mac was accepted for Officer Candidate School, and after being commissioned was assigned to the defense of the seacoast adjacent to the San Francisco basin. In 1944, his unit participated in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian, which was necessary to provide an aircraft base within range of Japan. A year later, his unit was assigned to, and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima, again for the need of a fighter aircraft base.

Shortly after the War ended, Mac was transferred to reserve status. This inactive service lasted until June,1951 when he was recalled to active service and assigned to the First Infantry Division in Germany. Donna followed Mac to Germany with their two small children in tow on a sea liner. Mac upgraded his commission status to Regular Army, and remained on active service, during which time they lived stateside as well as in Taiwan and Panama. Mac retired in 1969 as a full Colonel. Among numerous awards Mac received were two presentations of the Legion Of Merit medal, one by the US Southern Command for service in South and Central America, and the other by the US Eighth Army in Korea.

Donna lived the life of an Army wife, seeing and living in many wonderful and exotic parts of world while rearing their children. She was involved in charitable and Red Cross activities, as well as Cub Scout functions. Throughout her life, she had an amazing talent for reciting long poems from memory, enjoyed collecting seashells, driftwood and beach agates, and, in her latter years, was a talented and passionate cross-stitcher.

After retiring from the military, Mac and Donna together operated an independent real estate appraisal business for about 10 years. Additionally, they were both active over many years in the Discovery Christian Church. Mac is survived by his brother, Don of Bend. Donna and Mac are survived by their three children, William “Bill” in Grants Pass, Bonnie in Terrebonne, and Jay in West Linn, three grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.