Douglas McDonald

1931 - 2022

Douglas McDonald
April 2, 1931 - May 6, 2022
Douglas James McDonald
April 2, 1931 - May 6, 2022
Douglas James McDonald, age 91, died in San Francisco on May 6, 2022 after a short illness. Charismatic, charming, provocative and a good listener, Doug embraced life, travelled the world, was an avid reader and loved classical music.
Doug was born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, the son of Kenneth James McDonald and Agnes McDonald (Wilson). He grew up in Estherville, Iowa. He graduated from Carlton College, did a stint in the U.S. Navy before embarking on a banking career that took him to Hamilton, Montana with the Rivalli County Bank. Later he joined Bank of America in San Francisco and was sent to and stationed in Antigua in the Caribbean before he was assigned to Hong Kong.
In 1973 Doug left banking and returned to San Francisco to pursue his passion of antiques and interior design, opening a shop on Union Street, The Asia Company. Later he joined the design firm of Sloan Miyasato as a partner, one of the first tenants in the Design Center in San Francisco.
After retirement from the design industry, Doug relocated to Bangkok Thailand and pursued his interest in world travel eventually returning to San Francisco in 2016.
Doug was predeceased by his sisters Janet Baxter and Joanne Scothorn. He is survived by his son, who he always wanted to know, Alexi McMeekin, former wife, Karen Evans, and partners Yuji Iwashita, and Lukas He Wenliang; many dear friends including, Sheelagh Sloan, and Vince Furfaro; several nieces and nephews including Sarah Brown, Marty Parker and Karen Varnhagen (Tony) and great grand nephew, Nathan with whom he lived during the last years of his life.
At Doug's request there will be no service.