David Scott McDonald

David Scott McDonald, 54, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on October 10, 2025 in Mansfield, Texas.

Born in Arlington, Texas on August 20, 1971 to Charlie and Jimmie (Holbrook) McDonald, David was raised in Arlington, graduating from Arlington High School in 1989. He was an active participant in many sporting programs, and fell in love with soccer.

David attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he received a full scholarship through both his academic excellence and soccer expertise. David graduated in 1993 with a BBA in Finance, and worked as a stock broker in Dallas initially after graduating, but quickly discovered that his true vocational passions were teaching and coaching. He went on to do his education certification and master’s work in Political Science through the University of Texas at Arlington.

While substitute teaching, David met the love of his life, Kristi Barrow, whom he married in 1995. They had two children, Liam and Keelan, whom David loved and cherished dearly. He was a true model of Christ in his marriage and fatherhood, and loved his family more than anything in the world.

David was a faithful teacher and coach at Summit High School for 22 years, where he was initially the head boys’ soccer coach and Economics/AP Economics teacher. He switched to head tennis coach in 2014, and continued his legacy of excellence and genuine love for his players and students.

In 2019, David was diagnosed with Spindle Cell Sarcoma, an ultra-rare form of adult cancer that began in his heart. David made a promise to his family that he would fight this disease until he couldn’t. He kept that promise, battling his diagnosis for over 6 years through many surgeries, radiation treatments, and immunotherapy sessions. He never once complained to those around him, and faced adversity with dignity and grace, exuding the joy and love of the Lord with every breath.

David was deeply devoted to everything he did vocationally, in his home renovation projects, his hobbies, and most importantly: to his family. He loved and cherished his wife and children more than anything in the world, and truly sought to emulate the love of Jesus through his calling as a husband and father. His wit, wisdom, warmth, and joy were infectious, and made a lasting impact on anyone who met him — even those who only met him briefly.

David is survived by his wife, Kristi, children, Liam and Keelan, daughter-in-law, Samantha McDonald, mother, Jimmie McDonald, sister, Michelle Whitney and husband, Waylon, nephew and niece, Declan and Aubrey Whitney, and father-in-law, Bill Barrow. He is also survived by many uncles, aunts, and cousins who will forever cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Charles McDonald.

David was a warrior, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a teacher, a coach, and most importantly, a beloved child of God. He left a lasting impact on every area of life he was involved in, and he will be greatly missed by those who had the fortune of knowing him and being loved by him. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor David’s memory by inviting you to make a donation to the Sarcoma Foundation of America to help further Sarcoma cancer research in the U.S. https://curesarcoma.org/ways-to-help/donate/

There will be a Celebration of Life on November 1, 2025 with time and place being determined and will be posted once finalized.