Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

7 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

11 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

12 hours ago

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

12 hours ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

15 hours ago

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Again Detained by US Immigration Officials

15 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Burns 3,338 Acres, Evacuation Orders Issued

15 hours ago
RIP, David McDonald: A Giant in Local Business and Philanthropy
Portrait of GV Wire News Director Bill McEwen
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 7 years ago on
January 3, 2019

Share

David McDonald, who had a giant impact on the Fresno area as a businessman and philanthropist, died Wednesday morning at his Prather home.
Fresno County deputies responded to a call for medical assistance at about 9 a.m. McDonald, 69, later passed away, apparently of natural causes, according to the sheriff’s office.
McDonald, a heavy smoker throughout his life, had struggled recently with respiratory problems, friends said.

“His goal was to do things that would lift up the community for generations.” — Former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry
“God decided to take him home,” said former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry. “He was a good man — not just a rich man.”
On Thursday, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand and City Manager Wilma Quan-Schecter ordered the Fresno flag at City Hall lowered to half-staff in McDonald’s honor through Monday, Jan. 7.
McDonald built Pelco, which made security cameras, into a manufacturing powerhouse after moving it from southern California to Fresno in the early 1980s. He and his partners sold the company to a French firm, Schneider Electric, for about $1.5 billion in 2007.
David McDonald stands alongside Alan Autry and Larry Powell in this file photo from November 6, 2018.
Among McDonald’s many civic contributions:
— He led the successful effort to pass a county-wide sales tax to support the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The sales tax transformed the zoo into an attraction that now brings visitors from throughout the United States and foreign countries.
— Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he flew planes to New York City that picked up first-responders and brought them back to the Valley for an event honoring their heroism. He also built the California Memorial at Pelco in Clovis, where a 9/11 remembrance is held annually.
— He contributed $2 million to build the Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center in Clovis. The shelter was named after a deceased pet terrier that McDonald had adopted.
Most recently, McDonald led the unsuccessful effort to pass a city sales tax for Fresno parks. He donated $850,000 to the campaign.
“David didn’t seek attention,” Autry said. “His goal was to do things that would lift up the community for generations.”
“David was born and raised of humble beginnings but was determined to leave this world a better place because of his life and his contributions. Pelco, the company he grew into a recognized world leader within its industry is just one testament to his commitment and success.” — McDonald family statement
McDonald’s family released this statement Wednesday afternoon:
“It is with a great deal of sadness and a heavy heart that the family of David McDonald is announcing his sudden death of natural causes this morning. David was a true patriot, businessman, philanthropist, and believer of the American spirit and dream. His great joy was providing his personal support to the many causes that touched his heart, including The Fresno Chaffee Zoo, both Measure Z campaigns, the 9/11 California Memorial, Toys for Tots, Special Education Days at Pelco, Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center, and many, many more.
“David was born and raised of humble beginnings but was determined to leave this world a better place because of his life and his contributions. Pelco, the company he grew into a recognized world leader within its industry is just one testament to his commitment and success. Aside from family, David leaves behind many friends, associates, and former employees who he was eternally grateful for their support, trust and friendship. He will be greatly missed.
“The family requests privacy in their time of grief.”

Mayor Lee Brand’s Statement

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand tweeted his condolences early Wednesday evening.

Former Mayor Swearengin Tweets Thoughts on McDonald

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

DON'T MISS

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

DON'T MISS

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

DON'T MISS

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

DON'T MISS

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

DON'T MISS

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

DON'T MISS

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

UP NEXT

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

UP NEXT

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

UP NEXT

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

UP NEXT

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

UP NEXT

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

UP NEXT

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

UP NEXT

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

UP NEXT

CA Bill To Give Interest On Insurance Payments To Homeowners

UP NEXT

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

7 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

7 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

7 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

7 hours ago

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

8 hours ago

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

8 hours ago

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

10 hours ago

Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charges of Assaulting Police

10 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

11 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Steven R. Lewis, the brand new chief executive officer of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, says he’ll be prepared to ax p...

2 hours ago

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission CEO, Steven Lewis
2 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Fresno County sheriff’s deputy Jaime Mendoza, 30, was arrested Monday, August 25, 2025, on suspicion of domestic violence, officials said. (Fresno County SO)
2 hours ago

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

fresno
6 hours ago

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

YouTube app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

California Governor Gavin Newsom, along with local congressional representatives, state officials and supporters, speaks as he announces the redrawing of California's congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure, in response to a similar move in Texas being supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
7 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

7 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
7 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

7 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend