Wendell McDonald

Eugene W. McDonald

Great Falls —He was born Wendell Eugene Bradrick on August 13, 1928 but only a few people know that; you know him as "Mac" McDonald. He was born in Ohio but went to California when his maternal uncle adopted him following the deaths of his parents.

After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Weapons Company. Two years later he arrived in Korea at the Inchon Landing and never forgot but rarely spoke of his experience there.

In 1952, he met a beautiful young girl at a roller rink in Hollywood; six months later Marilyn May Crandall became his child bride on August 24th. It was there in Hollywood, where Mac heard the gospel of Jesus and put his faith and trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

One Friday in 1963, he received a call informing him that he has been selected to become a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff. He had to hurry down to the court house to be sworn in that same day because his birthday fell that weekend and he was coming in under the wire for the 35 year old cut off. After being sworn in the judge asked if he owned a weapon, replying in the affirmative, the judge said, "ok, just be careful."

He had the privilege of working at the Saugus, then Lancaster Stations and moved to Leona Valley in 1964. He and Marilyn raised their three girls on what they dubbed "McDonald's Farm." They planted several hundred cherry trees and learned to raise and prepare all their food. They worked hard to bring those trees to maturity and opened their orchard to the public every year as a "U-Pick" enterprise. It was there in Leona Valley that Mac and Marilyn served the Lord in the Community Baptist Church. They had an open door policy that often had young bachelors, youth groups, senior adults and families seeking good food, godly council, fun and fellowship in their home. It wasn't uncommon to see 40 people sit down at their table for a holiday gathering as "family."

Mac retired from the LASD in 1980 then answered the call of his friend, Dean Sebree to help out over in the coroner's department. By then the family was grown and Mac and Marilyn worked side by side in the coroner's department until a heart attack closed that door for Mac. Heck, working 90 hours a week in a part-time job would have put off most others from the task for sure!

In 1997, Mac and Marilyn sold "the farm" and moved to Great Falls, MT to be near a batch of growing grandchildren. They connected with Valley Community Bible Church and kept on investing in the lives of people. They taught Sunday School and helped with the AWANA program and any other endeavor that needed loving hands.

Mac was soon introduced to the Lewis & Clark Honor Guard. It wasn't long before he joined the Corp. and he really poured himself into his role as Hugh Hall. Mac thoroughly enjoyed the years he spent reenacting that incredible trek and teaching children about this historical exploration.

As his health declined, his outreach was increasingly focused on those healthcare providers who cared for him. Mac never missed an opportunity to share his faith or pray for nurses, doctors, volunteers and housekeepers.

On August 15, 2016 God called his faithful servant Mac McDonald to his rest. God is good, all the time.

Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.