Ed McDonough Dies, 77

Ed McDonough

Edward Bailey McDonough, Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife, Dianne, and family friends by his side on May 5, 2017 at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston after a battle with heart disease. Ed was one of the founding members of NAFUSA and a past president. He was born in Galveston, in a family with a long history in Galveston commerce, notably McDonough Iron Works. Ed attended Notre Dame earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He then returned to Texas and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law.

After a year of private practice in Houston, Texas, Ed joined the Harris County District Attorney’s office. In 1969 he became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, and a year later became Chief of the Criminal Division. In 1974 President Gerald D. Ford appointed Ed as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. His distinguished career included serving as lead prosecutor in the USA v. George Parr case involving voter fraud in South Texas, a chapter in Texas politics which gave rise to many books about the Duke of Duval, as the defendant was known. Ed also served as lead prosecutor in the case involving the bombing of the Pacifica Radio Station in Houston, Texas. In 1968 Congress authorized federal authorities to obtain court orders to intercept communications of individuals suspected of violating federal criminal laws. In the early 1970s, Ed tried in Federal Court in Victoria the first criminal case in the Southern District of Texas resulting from a court-authorized wiretap. After leaving public office, he pursued the private practice of law defending white-collar crime accused.

Ed McDonough’s work in law earned many honors and awards, including letters of commendation from the Attorney General of the United States, the Internal Revenue Service, and a Special Achievement Award from the Attorney General of the United States. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law and was also active in professional organizations for lawyers, including serving as a Director of the State Bar of Texas, a Fellow of the Houston and Texas Bar Foundations, the National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys (President, 1986-1987), Federal Bar Association, Southern District of Texas Chapter (President, 1976), the National Health Lawyers Association, the College of the State Bar of Texas (Director, 1995) and the American Health Lawyers Association. Ed lectured extensively, including to the National Home Health Care Association Annual Law Symposium, the American Bar Association Institute on White Collar Crime, the Texas Association for Home Care, the National Association of Former United States Attorneys, the Wednesday Tax Forum of Houston, and the Texas Health Defense Network. In 2014 the State Bar of Texas recognized Ed as a Fifty Year Lawyer.

Following the tradition of the McDonough clan’s association with the sea, Ed had a lifelong love affair with sailing. He was an accomplished sailor and was one of the first sailboat owners to be accepted by Lakewood Yacht Club where he moored “Caviar”, his prized 47’ sailboat.

Social activities rounded life and included lifelong associations with the Galveston Artillery Club, the Galveston Country Club, and the Alley Theater as a season ticket holder for 45 years. Ed and his wife, Dianne, never missed a Mardi Gras party and were active in Galveston through the Knights of Momus since its revival as a Galveston Mardi Gras Krewe in 1985. As a Charter Member of the Krewe of the Knights of Momus, he served as President, Ball Captain, Ball Chairman, and reigned over Galveston Mardi Gras as King Frivolous LXXXIV in 1999.

A deeply spiritual man and devout Catholic, Ed was a member of Saint Mary Basilica and served on the Advisory Board for Holy Cross Chapel, Houston, Texas. He served several decades on the Development Board for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and was an Advisory Board member of the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston.

Ed is survived by his wife Dianne of 41 years. Following a private burial, friends are cordially invited to a Rosary at 10:30 in the morning of Friday, May 12, 2017, at Saint Mary Basilica, 2011 Church in Galveston, Texas. A funeral Mass will immediately follow the Rosary. NAFUSA member Ron Woods will be among the honorary pallbearers. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, Saint Mary Basilica (Galveston), and the Alley Theatre.

As is our custom, NAFUSA arranged for an American flag to be flown over Main Justice on Monday, May 15, in honor of Ed, and Ron Woods presented it to Diane at the Galveston Artillery Club following the funeral as a token on the esteem in which Ed was held by his former colleagues.