John Sanders McDonald passed away Jul 18, 2006, in Kalkaska.
Born Jun 9, 1932, son of Marion Sanders and Clifford J McDonald of Birmingham and Lapper, and Tyron, NC.
Sistes Sally Firth (Dean) of Costa Mesa, CA and Ann Toulmin (Harry) of Birmingham preceded John in death. Sister Martha M Kinkaid lives in Naples, FL.
John graduated from Cranbrook School, Bloomfield Hills and Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, before joining the US Air Force in 1956. Based in Savannah, GA, he flew KC-97 tankers the world over before becoming a retired captain.
John the began working in the Detroit area for Sperry (Remington) Rand Co, Vickers Corp, and finally headed the national division of Manufactures Bank in Detroit.
In the early 1970s, John moved north to Traverse City where he opened JS McDonald Feed Store on Front Street for 10 years. For his final retirement, John bought a log cabin on the Boardman River in Kalkaska in 1983, where he spent 23 peaceful years among his friendly wild deer and turkeys.
John had a kindly way with all animals. He owned labrador retrievers that helped him hunt pheasant with good friends yearly in Iowa. He enjoyed snowmobiling and the sport he never strayed too far from, horses. He kept a pair of Halflinger ponies in Kalkaska, although in his youth he rode to hounds in Metamora and showed thoroughbred horses in the Detroit Horse Show and the Metamora Hunter Trials and Point to Point Races.
John will be greatly missed in northern Michigan by all who knew him for his kindly selfless way in support and understanding toward others. He always helped those who needed a helping hand until he finally needed care himself.
Cremation arrangements handled by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home.
