November Senior of the Month Donald McBride
Donald R. McBride fell in love and married the late Clara Belle Wesnidge when he was 19 years-old. She was just 17 and a senior in high school, but she fulfilled his life for 55 years.
He is an Oklahoma boy who lived in Carnegie, Eakly, Alfalfa, Oklahoma City, and then Newcastle. Walking to school carrying his lunch was a memory before he moved up in this world by moving to Eakly and getting to ride the bus and eat school lunches.
“Don” is the oldest of his siblings having two younger sisters. They enjoyed chicken instead of turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas because their dad did not like Turkey.
Another memory was getting a “whoopin’” at the age of six or seven when he stopped to daydream while working in the cotton field.
Playing basketball in high school was important, as well as borrowing his dad’s car on Saturday night. The excessive number of miles driven on Saturday nights did not make his dad happy. Also, living in a small town made it impossible to stay under the radar if you wanted your whereabouts or evening agenda to remain low key. Finally, he got his own car — a 1950 Chevy.
Don worked for both Aero Design and Engineering Co. and Western Electric, but then went to the Scrivener Warehouse for 37 years, while also raising a son and a daughter.
Vacations in Florida, California, Washington State, Oregon, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon were enjoyed while camping on some of the trips along the way. Fishing was always a great way to pass the time.
His parents and in-laws were the biggest influences in his life.
The year 1968 was an exciting time for he and Clara Belle as they left the city and moved back to the country, purchasing 10 acres in Newcastle.
He raised some cattle, enjoyed his gardens, and watched his John Wayne westerns on TV.
Dominoes also occupied his time, but when their domino place closed, he began playing at the Newcastle Center which led to him eating there and then volunteering there by transporting the donated produce and goods from Spencer’s in Blanchard every week.
Breakfast for lunch or supper is his favorite meal because he is not a morning person. He said the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches at the Newcastle Center are pretty tasty, as well.
Farming was a dream he never really achieved. At age 87 he misses having the energy to mow his own grass and dislikes the fact that days are now filled with visits to the doctor, but he would tell the younger generation to “keep on going and don’t give up.”
He said he hopes future generations remember him to be a Christian.
