Donald Ray McGough

DONALD “DON” RAY MCGOUGH, 86, a resident of Mansfield, Texas since 2000, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 22, 2020 after an eighteen year battle with Primary Lateral Sclerosis. Don was born April 13, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana. Don was a 1953 graduate of Ouachita Parish High School. Don received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northeast Louisiana University of Monroe and his Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Fort Worth, Texas. Don also studied at Louisiana College and Louisiana State University.

Don served as minister of music and youth, associate pastor and pastor of Baptist churches in Louisiana and Tennessee. He was a talented soloist, pianist and organist and taught vocal music and special needs children for 28 years in Louisiana and Texas. Don played the piano and sang on The Happiness Exchange on KNOE Channel 8 TV in Monroe in the fifties. He played the piano and sang “The Lord’s Prayer” at the weddings of friends and family. Don was a charter member of Victory Baptist Church of Monroe and a former member of Arlington Park Baptist Church of Arlington, Texas, where he sang in the choir and performed solos and duets with his wife, Julia. At the time of his death, he was a member of Victory Baptist Church, Monroe, Louisiana. Don is listed in The Official Register of Outstanding Southern Baptist Leaders and is a member of Louisiana Retired Teachers Association.

Don’s hobbies were playing the piano and organ, singing Southern Gospel music and watching sports and game shows on TV.

Don was married 62 years to the love of his life, Julia Lanier McGough who served beside him as a devoted pastor’s wife and care- giver during his lengthy illness.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Aubrey Duke and Ruby Miller McGough, three brothers Monte (Jessie Lee), Charles (Betty Jean) and Jimmie McGough and two brothers-in-law Johnny Hutson and Tommy Lipscomb and two sisters Rita McGough and Patricia Hutson McGough.

Don is survived by his wife Julia Lanier McGough, his son Edward Dwayne McGough (Lisa) and three grandchildren, Maxwell Edward McGough (Maddi), Joshua Donald McGough and Anna Rose McGough, two step-grandchildren Caitlin Zaffater and Ahlden Klotz (Bre Drake) and one great grandchild Aspen Klotz, one brother Frank McGough (Carolyn), three sisters Elizabeth Jane McGough Lipscomb, Carol McGough Collins (David) and Betty Sue McGough Barnes (Hartwell), one sister-in-law Effie McGough and many nieces and nephews.

Don was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Visitation in Mansfield will be Wednesday, November 25 at Blessing Funeral Home, 401 Elm Street, Mansfield, TX from noon to 2:00pm.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 2 at Victory Baptist Church, 740 Finks Hideaway Road, Monroe, LA with visitation at noon until 1:30pm and service time at 1:30pm at the church. Nephews, Rev. Charles Dupree and Rev. Bryan Lipscomb will officiate. Burial service will be at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum, 623 Highway 80E, Monroe with entombment in the mausoleum.

Pallbearers: Max McGough, Josh McGough, Tim Adam, Barry Collins, Mike Collins, Greg McGough, Keith McGough, Tommy (Bubba) Lipscomb, Tim Adam, and Bryan Newton.

The family gives special thanks to Alēv Care Hospice, Blessing Funeral Home, Victory Baptist Church & Caregivers: Sharlene Bruzzone, Darla Borghee, Bethany Collins and Christine Simpson.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to: Alēv Care 315 S. Main St Mansfield, TX 76063 (not a 501C3), and THE GIDEONS.

Blessing Funeral Home https://www.blessingfuneralhome.net/

The service will be livestreamed on Facebook, search Victory Baptist Church Monroe or go to the following link: www.facebook.com/victorybaptistchurchmonroe

Online registry/condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road, Monroe