The Brian Daniel McDonough Musical Scholarship was established by the McDonough and James Families in 2006.

Brian Daniel McDonough was born on June 30, 1983 at Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital to Fredrick and Terrilynn McDonough. He was delivered by his father, a first year medical student and several of his classmates.

Brian attended school in Leonard, Texas. During his elementary school years, Brian and his sister, Megan, entertained the residents at the Leonard Nursing Home on all of the holidays. “He had a gift for touching the hearts of the elderly and children,” said his mother. “During junior high he developed his writing skills and wrote several short stories and hundreds of poems, several of which were published in local newspapers. Brian also hosted a show called ‘Super Star Kids’ on PBS in Garland, TX that showcased the talents of children in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Brian and his sister both starred in the Clay Walker video, ‘Who Needs You Now,’ and television commercials for Nestle and Chucky Cheese.”

Brian entered St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas in his ninth grade year. He was there for two years and achieved the rank of Sergeant. At the age of 16 he left school and earned a GED. Later, he went back to high school and received his diploma from Greenville High School in Greenville, Texas.

Brian took up the bass guitar when he turned 18. His skills and talent led Mr. Mike McGowan, Professor of Instrumental Music at Panola College, to award Brian a music scholarship. “Brian loved going to school at Panola College and was especially fond of his friends and professors,” said Mrs. McDonough. “This scholarship was established in the memory of Brain Daniel to honor the school that he loved and those that have a love of music as he did. We are grateful to everyone at Panola College for the patience, kindness, and understanding they showed Brian during his time there. They were a blessing to his life, and he cherished each of them.”

Brian Daniel McDonough was a sophomore when he died on April 13, 2006. He was buried on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006.   

The Brian Daniel McDonough Musical Scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student. The selection and announcement naming the recipients will be made in the spring each year.