Ed Schwarz, MCB Co-Founder/Percussionist
One of our band’s founders, Ed Schwarz (shown last year with our Artist Director/Conductor Jeremy Kondrat and our other founder Bill Sleeper) passed away at the age of 90 on April 7, 2023. Ed was a member of our percussion section and our McKinney Dance Band for more than a decade before retiring from playing. We always loved seeing him and his lovely wife of 64 years, Ruby, in the audience of our concerts after he stepped down. We will miss you, Ed, and we thank you for the legacy you left in our little band, a group that will continue enriching so many local musicians and lovers of music alike for years to come. God Speed, Ed!- To read more about how Ed and Bill got the band started, click HERE.
- Read Ed’s obituary below.
Mr. Eddie Joe Schwarz
DECEMBER 16, 1932 – APRIL 7, 2023
Eddie Joe Schwarz of McKinney, Texas passed away on Good Friday April 7, 2023, surrounded by family, at the age of 90. Ed was born in Pfeifer, Arkansas December 16, 1932. Notable milestones and achievements of Ed’s life are far too many to recount, from the humble beginnings of the dirt floor home in which he was born to responsibility for originating future high-mach aircraft design concepts for the USAF Scientific Advisory Board, and including marriage in 1958 to his wife of 64 years Ruby Mae Walton and the 1982 untimely death of his middle child Kevin Joseph.
Ed graduated valedictorian Little Rock High School Class 1950. Then graduated Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) Class of 1954; MIT Graduate School 1956; and Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden) 1955, with degrees of S.B., Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and A.E., and Post Graduate Professional Degree of Aeronautical Engineer.
His professional career included employment with Convair Aircraft, Ft. Worth, TX, 1956-1959, Senior Engineer; Northrop Norair, Hawthorne, CA, 1960-1965, Engineering Specialist, General Supervisor; and Vought/LTV/Loral/Lockheed Martin, Grand Prairie, TX, 1965-1994, Project Engineer, Project Engineering Manager. Over the arc of his career Ed was involved in many historically significant jet aircraft and missile propulsion designs and programs that played a role in our Country’s national defense. He found his greatest professional fulfillment rebuilding an Advanced Concepts Group at Vought in the 1967-1975 era. Ed recalled once leading a 140-man team as technical proposal manager as “a big challenge, but not much fun – too much help from too many Directors and VP’s!”
As a youth growing up in Little Rock, he threw a newspaper route, attained the Life rank in Boy Scouts, won national model airplane speed contests, won high school band state competitions, and generally demonstrated a drive to overachieve and excel in all that he did. An early encounter with legendary jazz drummer Gene Krupa reinforced his life-long passion for music and drumming that was only equaled by his enthusiasm for aviation. He later became a licensed private pilot and flew in national competitions, which he regularly won to the admiring dismay of his fellow competitors and his wife’s loving aggravation – as traditional interior design gave way to an overflowing collection of 1st place trophies displayed throughout the house. Those who knew Ed were always struck by his sheer intellect, rational thinking, unbending honesty, and quick wit – always ready with a story or joke to share.
Ed elected early retirement at age 62, transitioning to a new chapter of life focused on faith, family, travel, and reconnecting with his passion for music. This led to co-founding the McKinney Community Band in 2006, along with his long-time friend and collaborator Bill Sleeper. Over the years, with support of the Mayor’s Office, School System, and McKinney Arts Commission, the band has grown to include seventeen-piece Big Band Jazz and Flute Choir subsets. Ed recalls his most fun moments ever were performing with the Jazz Band, such tunes as America the Beautiful, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Tail-End Charlie, and Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree. These performance videos, as well many others, including the MDB Promotion (Commemorative Airforce), are available at mckinneyband.com. Ed considers the founding of the McKinney Community Band one of his life’s “proud moments” and a lasting legacy he greatly treasured.
Ed lived life with a servant’s heart, helping and sharing the gospel, always willing and ready to support those in need. He served as deacon of Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Oak Cliff, TX, and remained involved with his Bible fellowship class at First Baptist, McKinney, TX throughout his senior years.
Ed was preceded in death by his mother, Denora Gilliam and his son, Kevin Schwarz. He is survived by wife Ruby Schwarz; son, Mark Schwarz and daughter-in-law, Hillary Hurst Schwarz; daughter Lisa Price and son-in-law Gary Price; granddaughter, Paige Price and husband Justin Trostle; granddaughters Lily Price, Sloane Schwarz and Sheridan Schwarz; sister, Carolyn Smith of Little Rock, AR; and nieces and nephews.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Schwarz family.
Bill Mark, Euphonium & Assistant Conductor
William “Bill” Mark, age 76, of McKinney, Texas passed away January 20, 2012, in McKinney, Texas. Bill was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Sen and Vonnie Mark (both deceased), and spent most of his childhood in Michigan and Indiana.
In 1975, while on active duty in the United States Navy, Bill met Della Ann Morgan at Our Lady of Holy Cross College. They were married in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and after another tour of duty in Virginia, Bill was assigned Assistant Director Navy Band New Orleans. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1986 in Louisiana, after 30 years of service. He then went to work for the Jefferson Parish Library System, and retired from that job in 2006. Bill was a member of American Legion Post 64 in Gretna, Louisiana.
During his many years with the Legion, he served as the Command Chaplain and the Post 64 Band conductor. Bill was a member of The Navy Musicians Association, The National Association of Uniformed Services, The National Republican Party, and The National Rifle Association. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of McKinney, the McKinney Community Band, and American Legion Post 64 in Gretna, Louisiana.
Bill graduated from the University of the State of New York with a Bachelor of Science in 1986. He later obtained his Master’s Degree of Music on December 17, 1988. Bill’s sense of humor was legendary. His sense of comedic timing and knowledge of life could be applied in any situation. He brought joy to everyone he touched. He was gentle, wise, and funny. Bill started his musicianship in middle school, and his music career spanned 64 straight years. He was an expert euphonium player and conductor, and he also sang and played trombone. He spent four years teaching conducting at the Armed Forces School of Music.