In Memory of David McDonald
born August 13, 1947 – died December 12, 2022
From David's obituary:
David Lee McDonald III, 75, of North Chesterfield, VA, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Bon Secours Community Hospice House. He was born on August 3, 1947 in Garnett, KS to parents Elizabeth Payne McDonald and David Lee McDonald II. He grew up in Garnett, KS alongside his two younger siblings and loving family. He graduated from Garnett High School in 1965 and went on to study at the University of Kansas, earning degrees in Economics and Geography in 1969.
From there, he served in the army as a translator during the Vietnam War, traveling across the US and Vietnam over his period of service. He was honorably discharged from the army on July 4, 1972, a day he always referred to as his double independence day. Ever the scholar, he then went back to school, this time at KU's archrival, the University of Missouri, where he earned a masters degree in library science. He never turned to the darkside, though, and remained a Jayhawk through and through. With his new degree in hand, he moved to Richmond, VA to pursue a career in his field. He eventually landed at McGuireWoods, a law firm where he served as a technical services librarian. He enjoyed his job and his coworkers and worked there until his retirement.
He was passionate about his faith and was a member of the Bon Air United Methodist Church. He was very interested in genealogy, always searching to uncover more about his own past and that of others. He was an avid reader, persistent puzzle solver, and obsessive Jayhawk fan.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his daughter Mary Leigh McDonald and her husband Jeremy Coble of Burlington, NC, his brother Andrew McDonald of Kansas City, MO, and his sister Elizabeth Abraham, of Garnett, KS.
David's memorial service was held on March 11, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Garnett. It was a dreary day and a sad occasion but it was nice that so many of us from GHS were able to be at David’s memorial service. (Joe and Betty Lytle, Monte Mace, Ron Wolken, Dan and Lynn Fraker, Terry Cain, Tarry Miller, Herb Waring, Linda Macklin, Jan McKenna and her sister Carol, Martha Miller, Marilyn Bennett, Glenn Caldwell, and Denny Davis.) I talked to David's daughter, Mary Leigh, at the dinner after the service and she was every bit as nice as you would expect David's daughter to be! She is very tall like all her father and his family. Her husband is also tall. She said they met because they were both the tallest ones in a wedding party so they were matched up to walk together.
The first photo below is David with his daughter in 2013.
The second one is David's daughter and son-in-law at their wedding in 2022
2022 update "I came to Richmond (Virginia) without a job in 1983 having not found one after completing library school. The first summer almost drove me back-humidity was stifling but persevered and finally got a job in my field that naturally paid less than the offer I had for work in banking where I had experience. There is so much history in the area including all the DC museums and battlefields everywhere. Worked on the vendor side of the library world until laid off then went to work for a former customer.
I wish the entire class an enjoyable reunion with memories that seem to emanate from only yesterday and the best of health. I wish I could be there."
Note: David's daughter was married April 16 in Greensboro, NC. He was unable to attend but sent the photo above.
Info as of 2015 David served in the Army in Vietnam. He was discharged on July 4, 1972. He now works as a technical services librarian in a law firm library and is considering retirement sometime next year.
Dave and his wife, Leigh, were married in 1986. They live in Richmond, Virginia and have one daughter, Mary Leigh. Mary Leigh is a 2013 graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
David enjoys watching football and basketball games with a KU alumni group in Richmond. He also likes genealogy and reading history, politics and some fiction.
David was born August 3, 1947. The photos below are David's senior picture and him with his brother, Andy, and his sister, Betts.
High School Activities
Freshman: Hi-Y, Band, Honor Roll
Sophomore: Hi-Y Chaplain, Band, Honor Roll, Pep Band, Tri-M
Junior: Hi-Y, Band, Honor Roll, Pep Band, Tri-M President
Senior: Hi-Y President, Band, Honor Roll, Tri-M, Valedictorian
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