MCDONALD, George E. 1913-2003

MCDONALD, HENDERSON, MORTVEDT, LOWE, WRIGHT

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/24/2015 at 21:59:52

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, November 24, 2003]

George E. McDonald, 90, of Story City, died peacefully on November 10, 2003, at the Israel Family Hospice, located in Ames, of natural causes.

Born January 20, 1913, in Helena, MT, he was raised in Coggon. He was a graduate of Coggon High School, class of 1931. He attended Iowa State University. He lived in Waterloo, Dubuque and Cedar Falls. He retired to Cherokee Village, AR and resided his last years in Story City. He married Janet Henderson in 1936; she died in 1996.

Survived by; five sons: Craig (Vicki) of Ivins, Utah; Kent (Carol) of Cross Plains, Wl; Paul (Marlys) of Washburn; Gary (Lynn) of Cedar Falls and Donald (Lydia) of Little Rock, AR and one daughter, Deborah (Tim) Mortvedt of Story City; 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A brother, Myron of Warner Robbins, GA, and two half-sisters, Bethel Lowe of Lebanon, MO and Eileen Wright of Rogers, AR.

Preceded in death by; three sisters Elizabeth, Virginia and Dorothy.

He began his career with John Deere Tractor Works in 1936 and worked until his retirement on November 7th, 1975. During his career, George was instrumental in the development of the first John Deere diesel engine as used in the Model R tractor (marketed in 1949) and continuing through to the change from 2-cylinder tractors to the 4 and 6 cylinder diesels of today. In 1972 George transferred to the newly formed John Deere OEM Sales Division as Western United States zone manager until retirement.

He was a Mason, a Shriner and a member of the Elks Club. He was an Eagle Scout, a Scout leader in the '40s and served in the Naval Reserve as a lieutenant commander. George was an accomplished violinist, singer, pianist, organist and an avid golfer.

After cremation, a memorial service will be held at Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon at 3:00 PM on November 28th, 2003, with inurnment following at the Coggon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in the name of George E. McDonald.

George led a caring life, always a gracious host, giving to others whenever the possibility arose and extending his hand to those in need through his work with the Shriners. His one-line sense of humor was with him until the last days of his life.