Jerry D. McDonald, 76, of China Spring, passed away Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano.
Visitation: 5 to 7PM Friday, March 12th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.
Funeral Service: 1PM Saturday, March 13th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7201 Viking Drive in Waco.
Military Graveside Service: 1PM Wednesday, March 17th at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Oklahoma.
Jerry Dwayne McDonald, the youngest of ten siblings, was born April 6, 1944 in Tahlequah, OK to Nolan and Sarah (Denney) McDonald.
He attended Keys Grade School, graduated from Tahlequah High School (1962) and then graduated from Northeastern State University(1967) where he eventually obtained a master’s degree (1973), and then obtained one hundred additional credit hours above a master’s degree. He worked at Ozark Nursery in high school and through all four years of college, and would also help his dad with work projects.
He was thankful the US army sent him to West Germany during the height of Vietnam War where he met his wife, Marianne. He met her on September 14, 1968 when he was stationed at the Aartal Kaserne in Herbornseelbach, West Germany. He married the love of his life, Marianne Nickel Brandenburger on July 4, 1969 in Sinn, West Germany. They then moved to his hometown of Tahlequah and had five children whom he adored unconditionally.
He was baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 10, 1984 at age 39, and sealed in the Temple to Marianne in 1990.
Jerry began his thirty-seven year career in education as a teacher at Stone Chapel School, then he taught at Edison and Grant Foreman in Muskogee, as well as Woodall Public School in Oklahoma. He then moved to the DFW area to work for the Lewisville ISD where he taught at BB Owen Elementary in The Colony, TX as well as Timbercreek Elementary in Flower Mound, TX, followed by working as assistant principal at Lakeland Elementary in Lewisville. He finished his career in education serving as a most beloved principal at Stewarts Creek Elementary in The Colony, TX.
He enjoyed his retirement years serving others, which was his greatest passion. He loved helping to take care of his grandchildren any chance he got, he served in the Young Men’s leadership at church with immense joy. He also enjoyed woodworking, creating art with the grandchildren, working outdoors, and spending time with family, friends and at church.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and four brothers.
Survivors include wife of 51 years, Marianne McDonald; children, Angela Greiner and husband Joe, Jason McDonald and wife Jenny, Jamie Brooks and husband Bryan, Jenny Osthed and husband Rik, and Patrick McDonald and fiancé Adriana Morantes; grandchildren, Brandon, Bjorn, Sophia, Tayler, Rome, London, Piper, Brooke, and Henley; sister, Nora Minters; and numerous other relatives.
The family would like to acknowledge a special thank you to Bishop Ben Perry, Jordan Mayfield, Jen Cain, Kari McKown, countless special friends, and the compassionate medical teams at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest and Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano who worked tirelessly to care for Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Missionary Fund or the Fort Gibson Historic Site.
Place of Service: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints , 7201 Viking Drive; Waco, TX 76710
Print Obituary & Condolences
Uncle jerry u r loved and will be miss uhad avery special love 💘 for others wonderful smile i will miss u very much luv( annie) jo mcdonald parsons
I’m so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was always a gracious friend. I had the privilege of attending his wedding to Marianne in Germany. May God be a comfort to Marianne and the rest of the family.
I am Jerry’s neice Billie, I grew up with him. Jerry was a good and loveable uncle. He will be missed greatly. Heaven gained a Angel. Thought and prayers are with Marianne and family.
Love Billie and Jesse Isbell
Marianne, Angela, Jason , Jamie, Jennie and Patrick.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Jerry was a Great and Kind Man. Prayers to y’all –
What a wonderful life and legacy! Jerry was a great friend and example, and an excellent teacher to a
outr daughter Melissa and all the kids lucky enough to have had him. We love Jerry and Marianne and the whole family. Grateful to have known the whole McDonald family. So sorry he had to leave early. Hugs to all.
He leaves a wonderful legacy!
I am so sorry for your loss. Jerry and I worked together for years at Cherokee building supply. He was a really good friend and will be missed!
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace & comfort.
~ Jason & Jami Bihl
Jerry was a good man that always had a smile on his face. He will be missed. I loved his subtle humor. I was his witness as he married in the temple. He taught my daughter in elementary school and was a principle to several of my other children. We love him and will miss him. Sorry for your loss.
Jerry was a wonderful man. He was instrumental in me moving from NY to Texas when he hired me in 2002 to teach at Stewart’s Creek Elementary in The Colony, Texas. He was larger than life and such a sweet and caring principal and an outstanding administrator and friend. He will be missed dearly.
My heart is broken for your family. Families are forever.
Mr. McDonald and my Grandmother (Wilma McVay) taught together at Edison Elementary and Grant Foreman Elementary in Muskogee, OK. He was also my 5th grade teacher at Grant Foreman. He was well loved! Heaven has gained an angel! Rest Well Mr. McDonald!
Mr. McDonald was my 6th grade teacher at Edison Elementary. He was such a great teacher. I think all the school girls had a crush on him because he was so handsome and had a great smile. I remember him teaching us a few German phrases in class. He told us he met his wife in Germany. So many wonderful memories. Sending condolences and comfort to his family. May he rest in peace.
Mr. McDonald taught me at Edison School in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was the best teacher ever! I remember him teaching us how to say “I love you, in German.” I know he touched many lives with his leadership and teachings. Prayers for family and friends. Mr. Mac. thank you! ❤️
9 March 2021 Dear Marianne, Angela, Jason , Jamie, Jenny and Patrick:
Susan and I loved your husband and father. He was a gentle giant. He had several Christ-like attributes such as charity, kindness, selflessness and a love for all others. He was the first one to offer to help someone else. He will be well welcomed into heaven with a long line of those he has helped in mortality.
KNOW that we know where your father is and what he is doing, to continue his ministry serving others.
Gordon and Susan Foote
Mr McDonald was the principal of Stewart’s Creek Elementary when my three children were students there. He made such an impression on all three, as well as the rest of the students, and the parents alike. He was a “gentle giant with a heart of gold. He loved the children and was genuinely concerned with their education as welfare. We moved away from The Colony the year my youngest was in fifth grade. Mr McDonald was so kind to her and helped her to make the transition easier. I was blessed to have served on multiple committees and got to know this wonderful man well. My children – now adults with kids of their own – will often talk about him.
Our condolences to his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Alford Family
Chris & Eyvette, Collin, Chelsea, and Cailie
We are very sorry loss, Jerry always loved to tell all the stories from his childhood.
-Sincerely the Roby family.
We met Jerry and Marianne over 18 years ago when Jamie, Jerry’s favorite second daughter, was soon to become the beautiful bride of our son. Over the years our friendship blossomed and we became family as we shared the love of our children and granddaughters. Trips to Waco included fun times with Oma and Opa. Bill and Jerry would make it to Griff’s at least once and had fun doing little projects together. Phone visits kept them in touch. We feel blessed to have known Jerry.
Dear McDonald Family, may the Lord bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. Our love and prayers are with you.
Such a gentleman. And, such a gentle man. We were blessed to know him and to work with him.
I was privileged to teach with Jerry at Timbercreek Elementary in Flower Mound. What a class act he was. Ever the gentleman and always willing to help with a problem or a job. Our favorite part of the day was our off period when we would sit on my trucks tailgate and just tell stories. I will miss him. Condolences to the family…
May you all find some comfort during this difficult time of grief in the memories and love you all shared. I love you and will be praying for you.
Dad,
I will miss you forever. You taught us to work hard, be kind, to serve others, how to love, and to always be truthful.
You were an amazing example to all of your children and grand children and anyone else whose lives you touched. I am so heartbroken and sad and will miss you always. I cherish all my memories of you. I loved seeing how much you loved mom and especially how much she loved you. She wouldn’t leave your side in the last few weeks. You are leaving a big hole in our hearts but I hope they fill with all the memories you gave. When Banner left us today I know you were waiting for him and you two went on a big long walk.
I love you,
Angela
Angela, I heard of your dad’s passing today and just wanted to say how sorry I am. Your dad had all 3 of my children at Stewart’s Creek elementary and gave me my first job at LISD 22 years ago! He was a very special man and will be greatly missed!
Birgit und Ossi
Wir sind so traurig von Jerrys Tod zu hören.1973 durften wir ihn persönlich in Tahlequah kennen lernen. Zusammen mit Marianne,meiner Schulfreundin, Angela, Jason und ihm verbrachten wir unvergessliche Tage in Oklahoma. Wie ihn viele beschrieben als sanften Riesen, so erlebten auch wir ihn. Liebe Marianne, unser Mitgefühl in Deiner Trauer um Jerry ist mit Dir, Deinen Kindern und Enkelkindern.
Jerry’s was a life well lived! He was such a good man in every way- his love of the Lord and his family were an example for us all. Bill and I enjoyed every moment we got to be with Jerry and his wonderful family. Jerry and Marrianne’s love for each other has been carried on by their five children who have remained close to their parents and their siblings. I have a special memory of when Bill got to see the group shortly before he died. Everyone came to Tahlequah to celebrate Father’s Day with Jerry and the weather was a disappointment- very humid with flooding but y’all had great fun being together. Bill was beside himself with joy getting to see everyone. I love you all and pray that you will find comfort in each other and your countless memories of Jerry’s love for each of you. God bless and keep you 🙏. Mary
Jimi (my dog) and I will miss seeing Mr. McDonald on our morning runs thru the neighborhood. He always had a smile on his face and a childhood story to share. Rest in peace.
Nora Schell
Simply, I loved this man. He was my teacher and such an incredible role model to all students at Edison Elementary in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He loved his family and was so proud of them, speaking of them often. My condolences to his family. Truly a life well lived.
We love the McDonald family and are so sorry for your loss. Jerry was a great example to all of us and so many more. He had a positive impact on many of our children and grandchildren. We send our condolences and love.
Wes Stucki family
Jerry was a wonderful example for all of us at Timbercreek Elementary. I enjoyed knowing his family and appreciated his helpfulness as a co-worker.
Clair Bradford
I will always remember Jerry because he sang a solo at my wife’s funeral in Lewisville in 1995 (Sylvia). His son Jason was a friend to my son Mike. To Marianne and family: May the good LORD lift you up with a perfect brightness of hope that you will be together again .May he comfort you and bless you as you morn hiss loss.
Jerry,
We are so grateful to you for having been a great example of Christlike living, Thank you for your wonderful daughter Jenny, our daughter-in-law! Our prayers are with Marianne, and all your children, every day! We will always treasure our friendship with you and your family. Till we meet again!
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. ~ Minnie Louise Haskins
Jerry was a 5th grade teacher at Timbercreek when I started there in 1995. I remember his humor & gentle spirit.
I am sorry about Jerry’s passing. I was stationed at the Arrtal Kaserne in Herbornseelbach Germany with Jerry in 1967 / 68. Jerry always had a grin on his face . Over the year’s I tried to look him up in Talaque without success . Michael Bauer