Dennis John McDonald

Dennis John McDonald was born in Rochester, Michigan, on August 10, 1941, to John and Enid McDonald. He was a Christian man who loved his family and adhered to the values of respect and godliness.

Dennis grew up in Rochester, Michigan and graduated from Rochester High School. He attended Cedarville College in Ohio for his bachelor degree in Elementary Education and excelled at baseball to such an extent that he signed for the Detroit Tigers before sustaining an injury that brought an end to his professional baseball aspirations. After recovering from his injury, he returned to school to earn his masters degree in Special  Education/Autism at Wayne State University in Michigan, and his post-graduate degree at Central Michigan University as an Education Specialist. He spent his fifty-year professional career working in education, teaching and mentoring students with special needs before moving into an administrative role. 

Dennis was a farmer at heart who enjoyed the slow pace of country life. He never passed up the opportunity to “haggle” (in his words) for the trade of equipment or favors. He loved to tinker in the barnyard with his farm equipment and take care of his farm animals. He spent many days baling hay or mending fences. He also loved to spend his time outside on the golf course, perfecting his self-proclaimed ugliest swing in the game. Dennis enjoyed his morning devotions sitting on the porch with his wife and spiritual partner. He also enjoyed a good book from bygone eras. He possessed an inquisitive mind and loved to pose and debate thoughtful, philosophical questions. He loved to go for drives with his wife but never found the “long way” to be too long when the route took him past a donut shop or ice cream parlor. 

Dennis passed away on March 4, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Jay Ann, his son and daughter-in-law, Sean (Erin) MacDonald, as well as his two brothers, David (Jackie) and Bruce (Beverly) McDonald. The first memorial for Dennis will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM (visitation at noon) at the Evergreen Bible Baptist Church, Saunders Rd., in Kalkaska, Michigan. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6 PM, at Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc, MI. The family asks for donations to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of flowers. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.