Dallas Macdonald

Dallas Wilbur MacDonald of Big Pine Key formerly of Deckerville, MI. A memorial service celebrating the life of Dallas Wilbur MacDonald will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Apsey Funeral Home, 3467 Main St, Deckerville, MI 48427. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM., until the time of service on Saturday. Born July 24, 1927, in Deckerville, MI to John and Verna (nee Burgess) MacDonald, he died Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dallas and his siblings grew up in Detroit MI until the death of their parents. They were brought back to Deckerville to live with their maternal grandmother, the late Ella Burgess. He graduated from Deckerville High School in 1946. He served in the United States Navy at Banana River Naval Air Station (Cape Canaveral) at the end of World War II. As an adult, the communities he lived in were touched in many ways by his service. In Port Huron and East Detroit he volunteered many hours at the United Methodist Churches. He served as the Director of Education for the Sunday Schools at the East Detroit United Methodist Church. In Big Pine Key he volunteered many hours at the United Methodist Church, organizing activities for the Men?s Club including shopping, cooking and serving the biweekly Pancake Breakfast. He actively participated in the organization of the annual health fair brought to Big Pine Key by the University of Miami Medical School for the area residents. As Chapter President of the Big Pine Key AARP Chapter 2466, he was instrumental in bringing the Internet and computer classes to the residents of the area. As a member of the Monroe County Older American Advisory Board he was a tireless advocate on issues important to senior citizens. The Monroe County Board honored Dallas by renaming the Big Pine Key Senior Center the Dallas MacDonald Senior Center. Dallas also served in Flotilla 13-03 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary participating in search and rescue operations, boat safety inspections, supporting military airborne training operations, and held a number of leadership roles including Flotilla Commander. Division 13 District 7 and Flotilla 13-03 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary honored Dallas with service commendations. Dallas is survived by his wife Norma (nee Bartley) whom he married June 13, 1947 in Deckerville: his children Gary, Jeffery (Susan), and Nancy (Frank) Humphreys; his siblings Frances (the late Charles) Simmons and Betty (the late Thure Flood) Amy; and many nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.