David Paul McMahon, 71 years old, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away in San Angelo, TX, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s.
A viewing will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 at Harper Funeral Home & Crematory, 2606 Southland Blvd., San Angelo, TX. The funeral service will be conducted at First Methodist Church, 37 E. Beauregard Ave., San Angelo, TX at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Interment will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17, in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 1610 C Street SE, Ardmore, OK.
David was the elder child of Paul Wallace McMahon and Charlene Elizabeth Goins McMahon. He was born September 27, 1953, in Norman, OK. His father was a USAF Captain and the family lived in many places including Japan, Albuquerque, and Wichita Falls. David was a proud Rider Raider graduating in 1971 from S.H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls. David became an Eagle Scout and earned the God and Country medal while attending Rider.
One of his greatest memories of growing up in Wichita Falls (locally known as wa-shi-ta falls) was kayaking the ‘Red’. Even before he could drive, David and his lifelong pal, Tai Kreidler, would jump up early in the pre-dawn hours to get their parents to drive them to the Red River. When the call came “The Red’s Up”, they raced to get there to see what adventure awaited them. Even this year, they reminisced about ‘Riding the Red.’
David graduated from Midwestern State University (MSU) in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree – Sociology. David was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity at MSU. While attending MSU, David met Linda Landers, and they married in 1974.
David joined the U.S. Army in 1977. David and Linda traveled throughout Europe while he was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant/E-6. He served as a Military Intelligence Analyst in the Army of Occupation / Berlin, Germany, and later was an instructor at Goodfellow AFB. The friendships made in Germany have lasted a lifetime. David and Linda bought their first home in 1985 and began a family. When David separated from the service, he began a 30-year career with the State of Texas Department of Health & Human Services as a Case Worker retiring in 2007.
According to David, his favorite adventure was raising his daughter, Allison, or as he fondly called her, Ally. He loved talking with his coworker, Bill, who had a daughter the same age. He would compare notes with Bill. He enjoyed being a father and enjoyed his daughter’s company.
David shared his travel interests and love of the water with his family. They shared special family vacations including Mesa Verde, Santa Fe, and Disney World. As a family, they would canoe down the nearby Concho River. He was devoted to his family and did not miss one of Allison’s athletic games. He was a loving, encouraging, and supportive father who will be deeply missed. David was a faithful servant and demonstrated his faith through his actions.
No one enjoyed retirement more than David did. He was a lay minister, a member of Kairos Prison Ministry, Concho Valley Emmaus, Promise Keepers, the Order of Saint Luke, and the Do-Dads (the great fix-it team at First Methodist). He enjoyed his Cheers Sunday School class as long as he could attend.
Living history, the presentation of educational programs for students and the public, was an important part of his life. With his wife, Golda Foster McMahon, they travelled to Fort Clark, Fort Chadbourne, Fort Concho, and Fort McKavett to present programs. David travelled with his compatriots to participate in re-enactments at Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Selma. David was proud of his ancestors who bravely fought on both sides of the War Between the States, fought and died at The Alamo and the Battle of Goliad in the Texas Revolution, and during the American Revolution. He was a Life Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) and became the Commander Texas Division SCV 2017 – 2019. He was the long-serving Commander of General Tom Green Camp 1613 SCV. He was a Life Member of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars (MOS&B) and was the chartering commander of Major Benjamin F. Ficklin Chapter 310. He served as Chief of Staff on the General Staff MOS&B and currently was the ATM Commander General and the Texas Society Lieutenant Commander. Two years ago, he re-chartered the Daniel Wood Chapter 22 of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and was its President. Additionally, he was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the NRA, the Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans, and the American Legion. He was a special advocate for veterans of all eras and participated in ceremonies at Fort Concho NHL, and many area cemeteries.
David was appointed to the Tom Green County Historical Commission over 12 years ago and served as its Vice Chairman. He served the Edwards Plateau Historical Association (EPHA) as its Secretary, and was a founding member of the Tom Green County Historic Honor Guard. He was an active member of the West Texas Historical Association and a past president of the San Angelo Genealogical & Historical Society. In 2024, Texas Governor Rick Abbott appointed him an Admiral in the Texas Navy and was a member of the Samuel May Williams Squadron in San Antonio.
David married Golda Marie Foster in 2013, and they began a great adventure. They travelled across Texas and the South. Together they visited cemeteries and communities where their families lived and died. He often announced he needed to get back to Mississippi to see ‘his boys’, veterans who died decades ago. Together they cleaned cemeteries, researched family stories, volunteered at Fort Concho, and discovered our nation’s heritage.
David is survived by his wife Golda Foster McMahon, his daughter Allison Gail McMahon of Fort Worth, and her mother Linda McMahon. Other survivors include his brother Eric James McMahon of Georgia, uncle Charles Robert ‘Bob’ Goins (Juanitta) of Norman, OK, and cousins Robert Schiermeyer of Edmond, OK, Stacey Stites (Kirk) of Colleyville, TX, Elizabeth Grubbs of Arlington, TX, and Caroline Goins of Arlington, TX.
His extended family includes brother-in law H.M. Foster II (Antoinette) of San Antonio, sisters-in-law JoAnn Foster Allen (Ronnie) of San Angelo, and Jana Knight Foster of Abilene, and nephews Shannon (Lara) Allen of San Angelo, James R. Foster (Dawn) of Bushland, TX, and nieces Jonette Wiginton (Brent) of Woodsboro, and Heather Marie Foster Lindsey (Coty) of Seguin. David leaves behind an ocean of friends across Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and the South. The telephone began ringing at 7 a.m. and seldom ended before 9 p.m.
David was predeceased by his parents Paul Wallace McMahon and Charlene Elizabeth Goins McMahon Wilkinson, his wonderful stepfather R.P. ‘Lux’ Wilkinson, and brother-in-law John T. Foster.
Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers include: Ronnie L. Allen, Rick Bacon, Bob Bluthardt, Bill Boyd, Will Bowen, Gary Bray, Michael D. Brown, Lane Carter, Aubrey Decordova, Sammy Farmer, Steve Floyd, H.M. Foster II, Leland Hamner, Gaylan Harrison, Kevin Hawkins, Ralph Hoelscher, Johnnie Holley, David M. Johnson, Mack W. Johnson, Tai Kreidler, Ewell Loudermilk, C.A. Maedgen, R. Steve Melton, Travis Monday, James G. Putman, Larry Joe Reynolds, Christopher Roque, William Vernon Scott, Rod R. Smith, Loye Tankersley, B. Don Taylor, Charles A. Westbrook, and Shawn Nanny.
Special thank you to Dr. Justin Jones, Dr. Wael Richeh, Dr. Bharat Meenavalli, the exceptional 6 South staff at Shannon Hospital, and the incredible staff at Hospice of San Angelo.
You may celebrate David’s life with a donation to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Hospice of San Angelo through West Texas Rehabilitation Center, or a charity of your choice
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