Donald Earl McComas

FOX - Five-year-old Don McComas discovered his favorite instrument when he found his dad's bugle in the attic of their home on Avenue C in Billings, and often chose to practice on their front doorstep. It seemed natural to graduate to a trumpet, complete with valves. Years before, his father O.B. McComas, had been a professional trombonist and his mother Epha was an accomplished pianist and organist. They often filled the family home with their musical duets.

Don met his future wife Sharlene in first grade at McKinley Elementary School, and their appreciation of music was a bond, enhancing their lives through the 55 years of their marriage. Both graduated from Billings Senior High School and The University of Michigan and were members of Billings Senior High School band, and Michigan Concert Band and Concert Orchestra. Performing in the big dance bands of the '50s led Don directly from his own Billings Senior High school dance band (The Five Squares) to the University of Michigan School of music, its marching band, the concert band and orchestra and numerous dance bands at the University. The Billings Symphony Orchestra was formed during 1951 and Don and

Sharlene both performed in those inaugural year concerts. Don happily returned as the trumpet soloist in the BSO's 25th-year celebration as well.

After graduation from Michigan, the U.S. Army called him into service in Washington, D.C. with The U.S. Army Band, Fort Myer, Va. Upon completion of active duty, orchestral life followed. He first joined The Buffalo Symphony, Buffalo, N.Y.; then The National Symphony, Washington D.C., and finally The Philadelphia Orchestra, where he joyfully spent the last 32 years of his professional performance. Often, Don would comment about his good fortune to have been performing when the great conductors were eager to bring their individual talents to the P.O. musicians. This was the era of Stokowski, Ormandy, Bernstein, Muti, and Sawallish, in the years that conductors and composers worked together with the orchestra as they composed and brought their personalities to the rehearsal hall.

Outside of the orchestra concerts, Don looked forward to the Easter Sunday services at the big stone Main Line churches built with massive organs and filled with fine instrumentalists. For many years, these services were followed by family and friends' Easter egg hunts in the dogwood trees surrounding his home, with the subsequent very tough games of basketball, shirts vs. skins, and way too much good food.

As a teacher, Don looked forward to coaching trumpet students from the Main Line, New School, Temple, Penn and Michigan, to name a few of the schools. One of his favorite topics was a master class he first gave at UM, carefully coaching young trumpeters the value of sharing difficult passages within a trumpet section, and discussing the give and take and courtesy involved in professional performances. He was eager to share his Philadelphia Orchestra tours with his family: South America, Italy, Europe, Germany and the first U.S. orchestra tour to China, when the orchestra brass section introduced Frisbees to the Chinese (too long a story for here). Don continued his trumpet playing until the final weeks of his life, practicing various Lyric Pieces for trumpet (Bist Du Bei Mir), and many of Cliff Lillya's transcriptions, to the delight of those lucky enough to listen.

Don McComas had the utmost love for all things Montana. From childhood, he loved the Beartooth Range and thoroughly enjoyed all the delights it had to offer. His youth was spent fishing, backpacking and hunting the Big Sky country. As a father, he was passionate about bringing his family to Montana each summer for backpacking trips up to the likes of Island Lake or September Morn, for the weeks of walking the trails, starting and ending each glorious day fly fishing with the boys. Never mind the full moon ("they will bite tomorrow"), or the windy day, cast away. Always carry pasta in the pack along with "energy food" (candy and nuts). His idea of a quick perfect lunch was a picnic at the overlook on the Beartooth Highway gazing at Pilot & Index with Sunlight Basin shining to his left.

For the very short time, Don was in the care of the Beartooth Hospice nurses he was fond of saying that while the doctors were taking care of his body the Hospice nurses were caring for his soul, and he enjoyed them for their kindnesses. He left our world looking at his beloved Beartooth Mountains, exuding good humor' and joy as he left us peacefully. "Grandpa Mac" is dearly missed by his many friends and family.

Don is survived by his wife, Sharlene; three sons and their wives, Roger and Michelle, Neal and Heidi, Scot and Mary; four grandchildren, Blake, Cody, Skyler and Colter; his sister, Betty Jane Sherfy; and her two sons, Bob and Doug.

Cremation has taken place and the simple family service will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Yellowstone Public Radio in Billings.