James McDonald

Many hearts were broken on Saturday, January 18, 2025, when James McDonald of Buckner, known to most as Jim, peacefully passed through the pearly gates of Heaven at the age of 86. 

Jim was born on September 30, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska to Gene and Mary Ellen McDonald.. Later, Jim and his family moved to Louisville and he attended Atherton High School. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami, Florida in 1963. He enjoyed his fraternity days, sailing, fly fishing, and cycling. When a college friend asked Jim to join him one summer as a seasonal ranger in Glacier National Park, Montana, fate took over and led him to his forever love, Susan Kay Bengtson. 

Jim and Susan were married on September 12, 1965, in Glacier Park, and they would have been celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. While fate again ultimately led Jim and Susan to call Kentucky home, Jim kept his promise that Susan would return to Montana to see her family every summer. Jim had such an unexplained love and respect for Glacier Park. He instilled this love in his children. His time and experiences were something that he cherished and was deeply and sincerely grateful for.

Jim’s longest career was 30 years as a plant engineer for Torbitt & Castleman, along with his younger brother, Steve. He finished his career at Lanham Hardwood Flooring, a family-owned business, where he worked for 22 more years. Throughout his entire career, his work ethic, determination, knowledge, and perseverance were unmatched. 

Jim was quick-witted and quietly unassuming. He loved the Lord with all of his heart and was a long-time member of the Southeast Christian Church. He was a fine craftsman of wood with an impeccable eye for detail. He loved art, poetry, jazz, and soulful music. He was frugal with himself and graciously generous with others. He was selfless, empathetic, and found tremendous joy in seeing others’ joy. 

The highest priority in Jim’s life was being present for his family and friends. His children would tell you that they never saw him sick, complain, argue with his wife, or say a bad word about anyone. He always ended conversations with “Keep ‘er flying.” He was truly a great, kind man, with a quiet presence and joyful heart. He did not judge, nor did he boast. He set the standard high for what a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and brother-in-law should be. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Mary Ellen McDonald; his brother, Steve McDonald; and his sister, Marilyn Chenault. He is survived by the wife he adored, respected, and appreciated, Susan Kay, and his seven children: Steve (Laura) McDonald of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Julie (Todd) Maples of Brentwood, Tennessee; Scott (Vonnie) McDonald of Kalispell, Montana; Sean (Kristy) McDonald of Lexington, South Carolina; Heather McDonald of Louisville, Kentucky; Karen (Jason) Henage of Buckner, Kentucky; and Sarah (Ryan) Hargrove of Lexington, Kentucky. He was the treasured Papa to his seventeen adoring grandchildren: Ian (Abigail), Emma, Hannah, Liam, Ella, Tyler, Chloe, Kate, Zachary, Lily, Sophie, Eli, Emme Kay, Charlie, Miles, Silas, and Leo, with his first great-grandchild on the way. Jim treasured and felt tremendous love in return from his very large extended family. 

The past year for Jim was marked with consistent upward battles with his health as the result of a bad fall. He overcame so much because of the love he still had to give. While many odds were against him, he persevered and never gave up until the choice was no longer his. So it is only fitting to end with the first lines of one of Jim’s favorite poems by Edgar Albert Guest, It Couldn’t Be Done. 

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done 

But he with a chuckle replied

 That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one 

Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

 So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face. 

If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing, as he tackled the thing

 That couldn’t be done and he did it!

A small family gathering to honor Jim will be planned in Montana at a later time. The family thanks his doctors, care givers, and physical therapists and is especially forever grateful to the team at Hosparus Health Louisville for their compassionate and caring navigation during Jim’s final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hosparus by visiting www.hosparushealth.org/donate/.

Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville KY, 40243, is entrusted with arrangements.