Donald Clark McFate, Sr., of Springfield, MO., passed away Friday, December 4, 2020 at Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born September 20, 1926 In Crookston, MN to Clark and Grace Ousley McFate. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant in Germany where he met Ilse Habermehl, his wife of 57 years, who preceded him in death in 2010. He moved to Springfield in 1957 where he earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and worked until retirement at Dayco as an equipment designer in research and development.  He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking and jewelry making.

He was preceded in death additionally by his parents; his brother, Dale McFate; his son, Kirk McFate and daughter, Ann McFate Chambers and grandson, Austin Chambers. He is survived by his companion of 10 years, Linda Smock; one sister, Gloria Sanders of Las Cruces, NM; three children: Barbara Peck, of Springfield, Mo., Donald McFate, Jr. and his wife Deborah, of Rogersville, Mo., and  Laura Petiford of Fairfield, CT; one daughter-in-law Cindi McFate of Poynette, WI and; 8 grandchildren, Michael Clary, Emily Clayton, Bobby Clayton, Grant Harris, Kal McFate, Kathryn Petiford, Julie Petiford and Whitney Gutierrez as well as many great grandchildren and other relatives.

A service will be held at a later date and burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, MO.