Bryan Cody McDonough

Bryan Cody McDonough, 58, of Waco entered his eternal home with his Lord and Savior on April 27, 2024, after a valiant 21-year battle with progressive Multiple Sclerosis. His family was with him as he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 on Friday, May 3 at Renew Church Waco with Pastor Wayne Williams and Pastor Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr. in Waco. 

Bryan was born August 23, 1965, to Dan Kenard and Doretta (Dolly) Albina Hoelscher McDonough in Corpus Christi, TX. He graduated from Agua Dulce High School in 1984 and attended Texas A&I University and Texas A&M University. He also completed his Auto Mechanics studies at Del Mar College. On October 16, 1993, he married his forever love and best friend, Veronica David McDonough. They were blessed with three wonderful children and two grandchildren. They were extremely grateful for God’s faithfulness to help them celebrate their 30 year anniversary this past October. 

From an early age the importance of family, faith, traditions and farming were instilled in Bryan. Growing up in the rural community of Agua Dulce, Bryan spent his summers working the fields with his beloved grandpa and uncles tending to the land and harvesting their crops. When not working the fields, he was able to join his family on their summer trips to Garner State Park, where he enjoyed exploring, playing frisbee and perfecting his two-step at the pavilion dances! A tradition that he continued to enjoy in his later years with his children and their cousins. He was raised to be proud of his Irish heritage, and had a quick wit and great sense of humor perfect for telling tall tales, right along with his dad. He bled maroon as a hard core Texas Aggie fan and during his sophomore year was excited to transfer there. He became a member of The Corps of Cadets, and put his agricultural background and horsemanship skills to use by joining the Parsons Mounted Cavalry. One of his favorite traditions at Texas A&M was

coming together with his fellow cadets to build the Aggie Bonfire. Bryan passed down his love for A&M and the camaraderie he experienced to his two sons, Cody and Will, who followed in their father’s footsteps when they chose to attend A&M and both join The Corps of Cadets. 

Bryan and Veronica met through family in 1986, but it wasn’t until five years later when they finally had their first official date. Their love stood the test of distance and differing college allegiance (Veronica is a Texas Longhorn) but they always kept their relationship as their top priority. It was only a little over a year before Bryan and Veronica knew they had found their forever love and got engaged. They were married by fall of the next year. Their fondest memories were of dancing together to their favorite songs. As Bryan’s illness progressed he was no longer able to spin her around the dancefloor; however Bryan, now fully healed, awaits his favorite dancing partner in Heaven. 

Once married Bryan and Veronica decided to open their family business, McDonough Auto Service. For over 30 years, Bryan served the Hewitt and Waco communities with personalized and trustworthy auto repair. He was passionate about hard work and service as he continued to show up everyday despite his illness till his final days. Bryan instilled his passions into his children. He was so proud to be able to watch his son, Will, have the same drive to operate and take over the family business. 

Bryan was born to be a father and loved his children more than anything. He wanted the best for his kids and found so much joy in watching his children pursue their hobbies and passions. Being able to watch his daughter, Emry, play softball throughout the years always brought a smile to his face. Witnessing his son, Cody, become a father and making him a grandfather is one of his greatest blessings. He cherished and loved his grandchildren, Eli and Maggie. 

Family and his Irish heritage meant everything to Bryan. He was a spiritual leader and believed a family that prays together stays together. He was

honored to be able to attend church every Sunday. He took pride in his church and loved teaching the young kids at Sunday school with his wife, Veronica. He put his faith in God during every situation he faced, and led his children to do the same. Bryan was the foundation of his family’s faith, and he taught them what it meant to be faithful servants. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Dan McDonough, his nephew, Eric Greenup, his grandparents Regina and Frank Hoelscher and Vera and Patrick McDonough, and his father-in-law, William Buck David. 

He is survived by his wife, Veronica McDonough, his son Daniel Cody McDonough and wife Brittany, his son William David McDonough and fiancée Brice Willbanks, his daughter Emry Elizabeth McDonough, his grandson Eli Cody McDonough, and his granddaughter Maggie Monica 

McDonough. He is also survived by his mother Dolly McDonough, his sisters, Kathy Greenup, Denise (Cory) Eckenrode, Linda (Ben) Garcia, and Melissa McDonough, his uncles, Frank Hoelscher, Jr. (Sherry), RC Hoelscher (Diane), and David Hoelscher (Natalie). He also leaves his mother-in-law, Barbara McDonough, brother-in-law, Anthony David (Kristi), sister-in-law, Ava David, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and the McDonoughs adopted grandmother, Joyce Moss. 

Bryan was blessed to have many dedicated doctors over the years. We are forever grateful to Dr. Horner, Dr. Wynn Brown, and Dr. Kendal Stewart for their unwavering desire to provide Bryan with great quality of life during his illness. Bryan was also blessed to have two great caregivers with Ruby Wilkerson and Alicia Tamayo and his faithful prayer partner for the last 12 years, Ross McKenzie.But most of all he was blessed to have the support and care of his family who took care of him daily and handled his illness with such grace. 

Honorary pallbearers are Greg Hudson, Cary DuPuy, Rhett Domangue, David Winget, King Regian, Sheridan Odom, Pete Gonzales, and the men from New Life Sunday School class. 

Memorials may be made to Renew Church Waco.