Beloved SFA Professor Passes Away

EAST TEXAS — According to our news partner, KETK, well known and beloved Stephen F. Austin University professor, Dr. Archie McDonald, died on Thursday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. McDonald had been a History professor for 48 years, as well as Director of the East Texas Historical Association. He was also the editor of the Historical Association’s Journal.

McDonald began working at SFA in 1964, and was still a professor there at the time of his death. He also served as the University’s Community Liaison, representing SFA to the public. According to the SFA website: McDonald also was the author/editor of more than 20 books on historical topics, and one book of humor titled “Helpful Cooking Hints for HouseHusbands of Uppity Women.” He was also a weekly commentator on National Public Radio, and wrote a well-received weekly column for the local newspaper, The Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel.

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Thursday issued the following statement on the passing of McDonald: “Texas has lost one of our best historians. Archie’s knowledge of Texas history was unsurpassed. Living in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches, and teaching at Stephen F. Austin University, he specialized in East Texas history and lore. His research was prodigious. He will be missed by all who knew him.”