Robert Ray McDonald

Robert Ray McDonald 86 of Burns, Oregon died in Vale, Oregon on October 11, 2025.
Bob was born in Burns, Oregon on October 30, 1938, to David McDonald Jr and Viola May Chambers. Bob went to high school in Burns, Oregon and graduated in 1957, he played football, basketball and was a member of a boxing club. He married Patricia Lee Culp in 1960 and worked for the Culp Cattle company from 1960 -1969. They bought the family ranch in 1961 that was located on Highway 205 where they raised their four children. On the ranch their livestock consisted of Hereford cows, Suffolk Sheep, with the odd pig, milk cow and peacocks. Bob loved his children and was often heard saying how proud he was of their tasks and accomplishment. He was also known to embellish often. He was a proud member of the Burns Elks Lodge #1680 where he could often be found at his spot at the bar drinking "The Bob" Vodka, cranberry and a splash of OJ. He always had a story to tell and was known for his sense of humor and "Stirring the Pot".
He was very proud of his horse Chester aka Iron Jaws, half Thoroughbred Morgan, who he trained to cut cattle. In 1971 Bob entered Chester in the Harney County Fair stockhorse futurity in the five-year-old class event and won. Bob always made sure that his horses and children had the proper equipment to ride during competitions. Dorothy rode Chester for 4-H and fair court tryouts with the proper bling to impress the judge and outshine the competition. He often said that the girls ruined his favorite horse Chester by barrel racing, jumping and fair court reign. Bob helped at the neighbors branding with Chester often. Bob was a strong, tough true cowboy who prided himself on his livestock and horsemanship, loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
When his son David's second child was a bun in the oven, Bob was living with David's family in Portland. He found out about the emanate arrival prior to making a trip over to Harney County. David had not told the Harney County family and was headed over to visit. As David walked in the door at his sister Beverly's, the whole family said congratulations David on your upcoming arrival. Bob was not a secret keeper, and the family made a point from that point on not to tell Bob anything they did not want other people to know.
When he retired from ranching, he drove truck, transported camper trailers to Alaska and helped at the Elks during fundraisers and events.
He loved golfing, hunting, fishing, flying and driving around Harney County with family and friends on what he called Safaris, telling the history of his childhood, life and family connections throughout the county. He caught sockeye salmon in Alaska with his middle daughter Debbie and family. Many trout and blue gills were reeled in throughout Harney County with family and friends.
He loved all aviation. Bob started learning to fly when he was a teenager with his Uncle Oscar Davis and cousin Carl Davis. His best friend John Ebar and him jointly owned a super cub PA-18, which he landed short flying with his Uncle Oscar Davis and caught the tail wheel on a barbwire fence and ripped the tail end off the plane. He said he never saw his uncle run so fast before or after that event. After pushing the plane to the side he headed to the Elks to tell John Ebar the news. "John, I have some good news and some bad news, which would you like first?" John replied. "I guess we should have the bad news first." Bob then said. "Well, I wrecked your half of the plane." John replied. "Well what's the good news?" Bob replied, "My half of the plane is fine."
Bob and his cousin Carl Davis were known to get into all kinds of mischief throughout their lives. Bob also was known to go out with John Ebar and Mike Yee during his high school years and do things that may or may not be repeated.
Bob was proceeded in death by his sister, Dorothy Jean McDonald (1936), father David McDonald Jr (1943) mother Viola May Chambers (1992), Step-father Henry Granat (1994)and is survived by his ex-wife Patricia McDonald, Burns, Oregon, children, Dorothy and spouse Anthony Linville, of Rushville, Indiana, Deborah and spouse Randy Seaman of Anchorage, Alaska, Beverly and spouse Brian LaFollette of Burns, Oregon, and David P. McDonald of Burns, Oregon. Also survived by eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to Burns Elks Lodge #1680 for the holiday basket program.
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