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QUINCY -- Jay Thomas McDonald, 58, formerly of Quincy, died Nov. 17, 2017, at Citrus Valley Hospital of West Covina, Calif.
Jay was born March 25, 1959, in Macomb, to Ann McDonald and the late Bill McDonald of Quincy. He married Barbara Troudt on Oct. 21, 2000, in Portland, Ore. She survives. Jay was a 1977 graduate of Quincy High School, where he played baseball and lettered for four years in football. He was the leading pass receiver in the Western Big Six Conference for two years, and in 1977 he caught 38 passes for 498 yards and two touchdowns, for a 13.1 yards-per-catch average. He also rushed for 93 yards and passed for 17 yards in addition to playing as linebacker. Jay earned football awards as All Conference, All Area and Special Mention All-State in 1977. Jay earned a scholarship to play football at Western Illinois University and played one year, deciding to then focus on his education. Jay graduated from WIU in 1981 with a business degree. An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Jay would host an opening day party every year to start the season. Jay was employed in retail, working throughout the country in various positions. He was currently employed as a supervisor for several Circle K Inc. stores in California. Survivors include his mother, Ann McDonald of Quincy; his wife, Barbara McDonald of West Covina, Calif.; a son, Ryan McDonald (Cari) of Pittsburgh; a daughter, Amanda McDonald of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Nanette Smith (Jeff) of Quincy; three nieces, Laura Keane (Pete) of Quincy, Lindsay Tangy (Brad) of Quincy and Meredith Kessler (Sgt. Cody) stationed with the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, Alaska; four great-nieces and great-nephews, Madelyn Keane, Andrew Keane, Brady Tangy and River Tangy; two uncles, Chuck Jefferson (Cathy) of Williamsburg, Va., and Ed McDonald (Nancy) of North Fort Myers, Fla.; three aunts, Pam Ruzicka (George) of Charlotte, N.C., Sandy Wascher of Evanston, Ill., and JoAnn Meeks (Harold) of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and a special aunt, Nancy Gower of Quincy. Jay was preceded in death by his father, William "Bill" McDonald; paternal grandparents, Joe and Catherine McDonald; maternal grandparents, Herman Jefferson and Grace Jefferson Balzer; two uncles, Bill Jefferson and Jack Jefferson; and an aunt, Joyce Jefferson Harmon. SERVICES: Cremation rites have been accorded. VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home. MEMORIALS: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. ARRANGEMENTS: Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by O'Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home.
3 Entries
Many fun and wonderful memories of my high school friend. Jay was a great guy, a good friend. Rest easy, Jay.
Shelli Panicucci
December 13, 2017
Ken Elmore
December 10, 2017
In loving memory of a wonderful person.
Roberta Shelton
Friend
November 25, 2017
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O'Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home1435 State Street, Quincy, IL 62301
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