John MacDonald Obituary

John Andrew MacDonald Resident of Los Gatos 84, died on Sunday, November 3rd, 2013. Born in El Paso, TX, he moved to Santa Clara County at 6 months old. John graduated from both Los Gatos Elementary and Los Gatos High School (1947.) He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart. After earning his degree in Biological Science and a teaching credential at San Jose State, he taught at Markham Junior High until he was hired at Los Gatos High School, where he taught for 37 years until his retirement. His commitment to education was evidenced in his role as a test teacher developing curriculum for BSCS project in Boulder, CO, his many years as a Peace Corp Training program instructor at San Jose State, and his development of the Honors Biology course at Los Gatos High School, which he taught until his retirement. John was an avid environmentalist who enjoyed traveling, hiking and birding. He was equally at peace on a trail in Alaska or at home in his chair with a book and cup of coffee. His brothers William, Donald, and Angus preceded John in death. He is survived by his wife, Betty, their two children Paul MacDonald (Stacie Goddard) of Wellesley, MA, and Brian MacDonald (Crystal Williams) of Berkeley; grandchildren Sophie and Stella; and his children from his first marriage Laureen Adams of Elk, WA, and Chris MacDonald of Denver, CO. A Remembrance Service will be held at the Los Gatos High School Library, 20 High School Court, Los Gatos, on November 24th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 1060 La Avenida Street, Mountain View, CA 94043 650-962-8111.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Nov. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for John MacDonald

13 Entries

Philip Duffy

May 7, 2024

Mr. MacDonald changed my life. His guidance led me into a life of science. His closed aquatic glass Alhambra bottle "Biosphere" which contained plants, fish and snails, taught me the magic and spirituality of planet earth, and directly affected my awe and wonder of the world. Mr. McDonald always yelled at me. "Duffy! what's the answer!" He picked on me constantly, but it worked. I paid attention, I learned, and I became inquisitive about the natural world. I believe his influence led me to study biology and to work in my field of interest. I regret never having been able to tell him that directly, but it is enough to be able to say how much I appreciate his influence here in this memorial. Thank you John, my life has turned out wonderfully, largely due to your influence. Philip H. Duffy, Genentech. 07MAY2024

Jenny Levins Kretschmer

March 9, 2014

I loved Mr. Mac! YBRs and LPPs! I am a middle school teacher, and a little bit of his ways are in my ways, too! Thanks, Mr. MacDonald! Rest in peace.

Peter Yuen

December 29, 2013

My favorite teacher, he was so creative, and I vividly remember how he breathed so much life into Blue Biology and Senior Lab: The Blob, Toothpickadae/Yellow Bellied Rookie, newspaper fish, substance X, apple in a bottle...he predicted that I would be a biochemist, and I was a biochemistry professor for a few years. I remain inspired today as a scientist at NIH.

Bonnie Irwin

November 25, 2013

A great teacher. (Class of '77) He pushed us to learn, and not only science. I'll never forget the extra credit question on March 15: "How many eggs did you have for breakfast, Caesar?" He clearly loved what he did and loved his students.

Nicole Teigen

November 25, 2013

You and your wife were an inspiration to many of your students! Thank you for your dedication and for taking the time to teach us the fundamentals of life!
God bless and God speed!

Doug Stillinger

November 22, 2013

Mr. Macdonald was one of my very favorite teachers. He encouraged my love of science, and to this day, I frequently recall his warm, gruff smile, his blunt encouragement, his vibrant intellect, his big, caring heart. He changed thousands of lives for the better, and forever, and he will be greatly missed and continually loved.

Rose and Don Arnaudo

November 20, 2013

Mrs. Macdonald,

We are so sorry to hear about Mr. MacDonald. Anna loved him. He was a great teacher and great scientist! We are praying for you and your family.

November 20, 2013

My heart goes out to the McDonald family...he was a great teacher.

Kiel VanInwegen

November 19, 2013

"What is the most delicate part of the microscope?" From my time (class of '82) until Mr MacDonald's retirement, the answer must have always been......(___________) The few fond memories I have of HS were in Mr MacDonald's Blue Biology class.

Stacey Hein (Walker)

November 18, 2013

Mr. MacDonald was one of the most inspirational teachers I ever had. He motivated me to try harder and push out my own boundaries. He was a legend and will always be a legend of Los Gatos High School.

Kelly Terry (Kolbo)

November 18, 2013

Mr. MacDonald was a great teacher. Even though, as a "yellow-bellied rookie," I was very much afraid of him, he instilled in me a great appreciation for environmental issues. That nothing can ever be "proven," that we must always be open to the possibilities that new evidence suggests, is something I learned from Mr. MacDonald and that has informed my core beliefs throughout my whole life. In part because of what he taught me, I am now in my 23rd year as a science teacher, myself teaching kids about the environment, cells, and ecology. Mr. MacDonald's deep commitment to teaching really has demonstrated that a passionate person's legacy can continue on for generations after his passing. Thank you, Mr. MacDonald!

John McCleve

November 18, 2013

He was one of my best, most memorable teachers at Los Gatos High (Class of '84). Class was always engaging and interesting. I always had great respect for him as a teacher despite the times I got sent out of class to "go talk to the tree"! He loved what he taught and it inspired us to do so too!

November 18, 2013

We are saddened to learn of the passing of John, but very grateful to him for his work with the Peace Corps.

Our condolences,

The National Peace Corps Association

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