McDonald, Thomas Lain 1922-2006

MCDONALD, VANDER LINDEN, WALSKES

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2006 at 19:59:41

Thomas Lain McDonald was born on Dec. 8, 1922, in Knoxville to Henry and Ethel (Vander Linden) McDonald.

Thomas, who was known as T.L. or Copey, attended country school and began working full-time on the family farm at a young age. He served his country during WW II in the United States Army. Copey earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon before he was honorably discharged in December 1946. He returned to Knoxville and his lifetime career as a farmer. He also worked at the Bingley-Dykstra Sale Barn for 35 years and Rolscreen for 20 years prior to retirement.

On Oct. 4, 1999, he married Mary E. Walskes in Knoxville and the couple made their home on the farm. Copey enjoyed farming and working the land. Although he never had children of his own, he considered his many nieces and nephews as his own and loved spending time with his entire family.

Copey passed away on Oct. 30, 2006, at the Comfort House Hospice in Pella at the age of 83.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Johnny, Issac "Ike", Walter "Fat" and Raymond "Shorty".

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Mary; step-daughter Michele Spaulding of Apache Junction, Ariz.; three step-grandchildren, Melissa Johnson, Gene Spaulding and Angela Spaulding all of Apache Junction and five step-great grandchildren; a brother, Frank "Toodles"; sisters, Mary Peek of Riverside, Ruby Dop of Knoxville and Zella Brown of Attica; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn McDonald of Knoxville and Regina McDonald of Chariton and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 2 at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home with Pastor Charlie McMillian.

Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.

Military honors were accorded by the United States Army, American Legion Baty-Tucker Post 168 and the V.F.W. John Myers Post No. 3519.

Memorials may be made to Free Methodist Church or to Hospice of Pella.

The Knoxville Journal Express, November 17, 2006