Howard Dane McMahan

1930 - 2016

Howard Dane McMahan, 86, passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at First Jefferson Unitarian Church, 1959 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, 76112. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials go to Westside UU Church, Community Hospice of Texas, James L. West Alzheimer Center or the charity of your choice. As he believed he could continue to make a difference after his death, Howard donated his body to University of North Texas Medical School. Howard, the youngest son of the late Irl and Anna McMahan, grew up on a dairy farm in Rossville, Kan. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., in 1952, he received his master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas in 1954. While doing an administrative internship in University City, Mo., he met his wife, Myrtle Shucart. He did his thesis on the history of University City, working for Elder Gunter, a pioneer in city management. Howard was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1954. On Dec. 8, 1954, Howard and Myrtle were married. Howard served two years, stationed at Fort Chaffee, Ark., where daughter Deborah was born. In 1956, Howard went to work for the City of Kansas City, Mo., in the Research and Budget Department, where he worked with Jerry Brownlie for the first time. The McMahans' second daughter, Brenda, was born there. In 1959, the McMahans moved to Boulder, Colo., where Howard served for two and a half years as director of Finance and Record and son, Michael, was born. In 1962, the McMahans moved to Littleton, Colo., where Howard served as city manager until 1966. Howard spent many months rebuilding the city that had experienced a devastating flood. In 1969, Jerry Brownlie, city manager of Fort Worth, enticed the McMahans to move to Fort Worth. It was an exciting time in the history of Fort Worth, as Dallas and Fort Worth had just signed the documents to build the DFW Airport. Howard became finance director and helped purchase much of the land that the airport sits on. In May 1967, Mr. Brownlie resigned, and Howard, age 37, was appointed city manager, where he served until March 1971. In March of 1971 the U.S. Government offered him a position as regional director, Region VI, Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He was appointed by President Nixon in February 1972 as chairman, Southwest Federal Regional Council. In January 1974, the McMahans moved to Oklahoma City where Howard served as city manager for two and a half years. In the Spring of 1976, Jerry Brownlie, then CEO of Justin Industries, offered Howard a job and the McMahans returned to Fort Worth. Howard served first as vice president of Justin Industries and then as president of Justin Boot Company. Howard spent the last 14 years of his working career as a senior vice president of Harris Methodist Hospital System overseeing their hospitals in rural areas. He retired in 1996. Howard was active in the Unitarian Universalist Faith. He served twice as president of First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church and was one of the founding members of Westside Unitarian Church, where he served twice as their president. He served on the North Texas Association of Unitarian Universalist Societies as their treasurer and as treasurer of their endowment fund. After a fire in the McMahan's home in 1983, prior to 911, Howard helped the Girl Scouts and the League of Women Voters, Howard being one of their first male members, get the issue put on a ballot. Upon formation, he chaired the 911 Board. Howard was instrumental in uniting Harris Methodist, St. Joseph's, Huguley, and Arlington Memorial hospitals and forming Community Hospice of Texas. He chaired their board for almost 10 years. In addition, Howard served on many other boards and chaired the Fort Worth Ambulance Authority Board. In May of 2000, Howard was named 1999 Volunteer of the Year, City of Fort Worth. Howard was a Rotarian for many years, and was a member of the Ten Spokes Investment Club. In more recent years, the McMahans became active members of the Friendship Force of Fort Worth, traveling to many interesting countries and hosting members from other countries. Howard's greatest achievements, pride and joy, however, were his marriage of 62 years to his wife, Myrtle, and his family: three children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and their spouses, and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank James L. West Alzheimer Center for caring for Howard the past three years and Community Hospice of Texas for assisting in his care these past few months. Survivors: Howard McMahan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myrtle; daughter, Deborah Dawson, husband, Mark; daughter, Brenda McKeon, husband, Gene; son, Michael McMahan, wife, Robin; grandchildren, David Dawson and wife, Jill, Nicole Langdon and husband, Mark, Daniel Dawson and wife, Laurel, Natalie Gonzales and husband, Tony, Will McMahan and wife, Amanda, Wendy Davis and husband, Brandon, Dane Dawson and wife, Krista, Waverly Krystaponis and husband, James, Whitney McMahan; nine great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Merilyn Moonshine.