Search by Name

Search by Name

John McDonald Obituary

John McDonald 1916 ~ 2008 Born of goodly parents in Heber City, Utah, January 4, 1916, to Andrew and Elizabeth Ann Thatcher McDonald, and through a lineage of men and women who had suffered much for their testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. John Elmo McDonald died April 30, 2008. John grew up a cowboy on a small cattle ranch and was educated in the public schools of Heber City. As a youngster, he was a member of the first 4-H beef club in Wasatch County. A highlight of these years included, at age 10, taking his club calf to the Livestock Show at the North Salt Lake Stock Yards. At Wasatch High School he was a member of the FFA Livestock Judging Team and received the first place award in livestock judging at the 1931 Wasatch County Fair. In 1939 he graduated from Utah Agricultural College with a Bachelors of Science Degree in forestry. He received his Master's Degree from the same institution in 1946. During his university days he was chosen a member of the Alpha Zeta national honorary agricultural fraternity, Xi Sigma Pi, national honorary forestry fraternity, and Phi Kappa Phi, national honorary scholastic fraternity. However, his greatest achievement was his marriage to Lillian Fern Munk, of Georgetown, Idaho, January 4, 1938, in the Logan LDS Temple. John is survived by his wife, Lillian; son, Dr. Andrew John (Patricia), of Mapleton, Utah; two daughters, Jean Atwood (Stephen) of St. George, Utah; and Paula Walker (Robert) of Olympia, Washington; fourteen grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Alda Strebel of Heber, Utah; and two sisters-in-law. Preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Calvin; brothers, A. Melvin McDonald, LaMar T. McDonald, and George W. McDonald; brother-in-law, George Strebel; sister-in-law, Lucille McDonald; and son-in-law, Bruce Berwick. John was grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served faithfully throughout all his life. He was the first Branch President of the Church at John Day, Oregon and the second Bishop of the Lakeview, Oregon Ward, holding the latter calling for fifteen years. He also served on the first Klamath Stake High Council, which at the time included all of northern California north of the Redding Stake and southwestern Oregon. After returning to Utah in 1981, John and Lillian were ordinance workers in the Provo Temple and served a mission in Florida. John enjoyed a successful career doing work he valued and enjoyed. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service for twenty years, beginning as a forest ranger, first in Blanding, then Monticello, and Duchesne, Utah. He left Utah, being promoted to assistant to the Forest Supervisor, Malheur Forest, John Day, Oregon. His last eight years with the Forest Service were as Supervisor of Fremont National Forest, Lakeview, Oregon. He was one of the youngest Forest Supervisors in the United States at that time. John left government service at the age of 41, and for the next 24 years was general manager of Lakeview Lumber Products Co., logging, sawmilling, and remanufactur ing 20 million board feet of lumber each year. At the same time he owned and operated a cattle ranch, McDonald Livestock Co. The ranch had more than 500 acres of deeded land, 200 mother cows, their calves, replacement heifers, bulls, and saddle horses. Following retirement from the lumber business in 1981, John and Lillian sold the Oregon ranch and moved to Benjamin, Utah County. They purchased twenty plus acres upon which they built a new home, shop, barn, corrals, etc. to make a dream mini-ranch (OLD McDONALD'S FARM, John E., that is). They had about 30 purebred cattle until the fall of 1991, when John finally hung up the saddles and spurs and sold the cattle. They purchased a condominium in St. George and spent the winters there and the rest of the year back in Benjamin, until October 29, 1998, when they sold the Benjamin place. They purchased a new home in Spanish Fork, ending an additional 18 years of a good life on a ranch. John was an Eagle Scout, scoutmaster, Explorer advisor, district chairman, and for ten years served as vice-president of the Modoc Area council of the Boy Scouts of America. This area included south central Oregon and Alturas and Tule Lake in northern California. He was presented with the Silver Beaver award May 1954, at age 38. John was active in civic affairs participating as a member of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and as president of Rotary Club. He served on the school board in Lakeview and was chairman when the new high school was built. He was president of Lake County, Oregon, United Fund and served twice a chairman of the annual United Fund drive. In 1955, he received the Lake County, Oregon First Citizen Award. Funeral Services will be held Monday, May 5, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at the Meadowlark 1st Ward, 870 E. Canyon Road, Spanish Fork, Utah. Friends and family may call from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Internment will be at the Heber City Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Olpin-Hoopes Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on May 4, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John McDonald

Not sure what to say?





kathy zabriskie

May 11, 2008

i just want to show my love and appriecation to john. he inspired me by the stories that he shared. i could really feel his spirit. it was my pleasure to care for him. he was very greatful for the help that i provided him. thank you for letting me in your home and sharing his life with me. he will be missed by me. love your hospice cargiver.

Myrna Bell

May 11, 2008

Dear Lillian and family:
We are so grateful to have known John and all of you. What a good bishop and friend he was to Dad. All he accomplished on the ranch was truly remarkable.
Our love, John and Myrna

Ruth Davidson

May 6, 2008

Dear McDonalds--Lillian, Andy, Jeanie, and Paula--
John was the only bishop I actually remember from my whole growing up years. I remember him as such a great example. In fact that can be said of your entire family. He gave a huge hunk of his life as our bishop and I love him for it and wish to thank all of you for sharing him with the rest of the ward.

With love and appreciation,
Ruth (Goss) Davidson

Marie Deming Bell

May 5, 2008

My thoughts and love will be with you all this morning. I too have so many great memories of the positive works of Bishop McDonald. Your family ment so much to me in so many ways. He is really the first Bishop I remember and he was still my Bishop when I left for college. Today, it is hard to believe he would have the faith to extend my first calling in the Church at age 12, but the experiences I had in Lakeview have shaped my whole life. I love and appreciate him for that.

I remember when your family joined ours for a family home evening I conducted. (a Primary requirement). You all came so my Dad wouldn't think it was really a family home evening. Many other times, Bishop McDonald found ways to include my father even though he was not active in the church. That ment everything to Jim, Mike, my Mother and I!

Lillian, you also need to know that when I was growing up, you were my role model. I wanted to be just like you...accepting multiple callings, staying fit and active, and always cheerful and helpful. I have thought of you many times as I have pushed myself to do some kind of exercise!

And Jean...you were and are the best friend an individual could ever have. I love you dearly! I will always be thankful your mom made you go play with that "Deming girl"

My love to you all,

James Bud Deming

May 4, 2008

Lillian, Andy, Jean, and Paula,

It is hard to feel sadness when a great man leaves us to serve on the other side. Bishop McDonald was one of the great men in my life and as my priest's quorum adviser I developed my foundation in the gospel that would guide me for the rest of my life. I loved the goose hunting trips with Dad, the Bishop, and Andy and playing the organ in sacrament meetings. When he called me to teach the Gospel Doctrine Class when I was but a freshman at the UofO I was overwhelmed but he promised me that it was the Lord's will, and I enjoyed every class. I missed him most when I left the Lakeview Ward. He had been my father in the Church and the one I looked up to the most. I thank the McDonald family for sharing him with me and my family.
Love to you all,

James B. Deming & Family

Hilma Bellessa

May 4, 2008

Besides all of his honors and accomplishments Uncle John was a humble man of God. I will always be thankful for his influence. He was such a kind, loving brother to my mother. I was thankful for our last visit a few weeks ago again to witness his devotion to her. She will be with him soon.

Love,

Hilma

A. Melvin McDonald, Jr.

May 4, 2008

Dear Aunt Lillian, Andy, Jean and Paula: I was so saddened to hear of the passing of my Uncle John. I still remember the wonderful visit I had with your family in Oregon. He was a great man. His parents and brothers and other relatives had to rejoice with his return to his Father's kingdom. We were all blessed and touched by his life. You are in our prayers.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in John McDonald's name

Memorial Events
for John McDonald

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor John McDonald's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more