George Murray Macdonald

George "Murray" Macdonald passed away June 21, 2025. He was born in Sacramento, CA on July 2, 1935. Born the youngest of two sons to Norman and Dora (ne. Murray) Macdonald, second-generation Scottish immigrants who had moved to Sacramento from New Brunswick, Canada in the late 1920's.

Growing up in Sacramento he attended McClatchy High school, where he met Carol Stephenson. They graduated in 1953 and were married in 1955, settling in Sacramento and started a family there. Murray began working as a draftsman in the aerospace industry after graduating from Sacramento City College. In 1959 he went to Sacramento State to work towards a bachelor degree. By that time, he had become a full-fledged "tennis nut" playing on the Varsity tennis team there. He worked full-time at night and carried a full load of classes during the day. He always found time for his young family playing his banjo in the evenings and teaching his kids to love ping-pong. He graduated with a BA in Business in 1961 and immediately began his career in the telecommunications industry working for Pacific Bell as a Traffic Manager. In 1965 he transferred into the Santa Cruz area, settling the family in Aptos/Rio Del Mar. Eventually he went to work for Xerox in Mt. View and then Plantronics in Santa Cruz, where he rose to the position of National Marketing Manager, a job he enjoyed very much developing many lasting friendships there. Always a good family man and dad, he was very involved in supporting his kids in their various activities: sports, play, camping, and lots of beach BBQ's in the summer. Murray had a real zest for life and made so many good friends, always upbeat and humorous to be around. He was also a man of strong Christian faith, and lived many of those values as a truly caring and compassionate person.

By the late 70's he was working for Prolog, and divorced when he met and married Dora (Collier) his wife for his remaining 47 years. He adopted Dora's daughter Lori, giving him five children in total. Murray and Dora moved to Aromas, and had a beautiful life together hosting many family events during holidays and celebrations, playing tennis and Pickleball into their 80's. They attended Carmel Presbyterian church, went to Giants games and in their retired years watched all the grand kids and great-grandkids grow up, actively participating in their lives.

By his mid-sixties Murray had retired from telecommunications and had moved with Dora to Seaside, primarily to be close to their cherished tennis club Meadowbrook. They were also very active in teaching Sunday School and being greeters, and were well loved in their church community. Everyone who knew Murray loved him. He will be greatly missed.

Murray is survived by his wife Dora and his 5 children, Scott (Christie), Kathy (Brian), Merrilee (Michael), daughter in law Debie Chirco Macdonald, and Lori. Preceded in death by son Bradley John Macdonald. He left behind 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Murray's life will be held at the Carmel Presbyterian Church on Saturday November 1st, 11:30 am. The reception will be held onsite immediately after the service.