Note: The Tennessee McDonald Clan is most thankful to Steve for all his research for our family. His. Cousins truly miss him and shall continue on with the research he has given us. Without him we would not know nearly as much about our family that migrated west from Tennessee. The Stories, the memories, and artifacts he shared with us are priceless.
Thank you Steve!
Your Tennessee Cousins
-------
James Stephen McDonald was born July 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Hoyt & Norma Lee (Robidoux) McDonald. He was gathered to his people on October 7, 2018, from his home in Moore, OK.
Steve was a graduate of Wichita High School North and earned his B.S. in Business from Oklahoma Christian University.
Steve had many careers throughout his life; including bookstore owner/operator, facilities maintenance engineer for Moore Public Schools, caregiver for family members, and caregiver for friends with special needs. He was also active with BetterLife in Christ Ministries, serving the African community alongside his spiritual brother and close friend, Isaac Olorunnisomo.
Steve was a voracious reader and book collector. His home was filled with thousands of books. He read mostly non-fiction and was a fount of (mostly useless) knowledge. He was the family genealogist, not just tracing his family lineage up through history, but also out to the fringes. He enjoyed educating his family on their distant, incarcerated cousins. He took several trips to cemeteries and other historic sites and met relatives along the way. He had an eclectic musical taste and used to make mix tapes for his friends and family to enjoy/endure. He was a dedicated Dr. Pepper drinker, apart from a short-lived boycott after they sold the Dublin plant. And he enjoyed hating the Dallas Cowboys.
Steve was a fixture in his family. He was the grouchy but loveable uncle. He was dependable and always willing to help. He would scowl at you, then give you a big hug. And he had a great laugh. He will be deeply missed.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mike McDonald; great-niece, Emma; and hundreds of other relatives and ancestors he could have listed. He is survived by his sister, Mary Boydstun & husband Roy; brother, Brad McDonald & wife Niki; sister, Nancy McDonald; sister-in-law, Kathy Wright; many adoring nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends.
A memorial celebration will be 1pm, Saturday, Oct. 13, at Advantage Funeral Chapel 7720 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City. Graveside services will be 4pm, Saturday, at Little Cemetery, north of Seminole, OK.
Memorial donations may be made to BetterLife in Christ Ministries at 9700 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thursday, October 11, 2018, Page 7A.
Thank you Steve!
Your Tennessee Cousins
-------
James Stephen McDonald was born July 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Hoyt & Norma Lee (Robidoux) McDonald. He was gathered to his people on October 7, 2018, from his home in Moore, OK.
Steve was a graduate of Wichita High School North and earned his B.S. in Business from Oklahoma Christian University.
Steve had many careers throughout his life; including bookstore owner/operator, facilities maintenance engineer for Moore Public Schools, caregiver for family members, and caregiver for friends with special needs. He was also active with BetterLife in Christ Ministries, serving the African community alongside his spiritual brother and close friend, Isaac Olorunnisomo.
Steve was a voracious reader and book collector. His home was filled with thousands of books. He read mostly non-fiction and was a fount of (mostly useless) knowledge. He was the family genealogist, not just tracing his family lineage up through history, but also out to the fringes. He enjoyed educating his family on their distant, incarcerated cousins. He took several trips to cemeteries and other historic sites and met relatives along the way. He had an eclectic musical taste and used to make mix tapes for his friends and family to enjoy/endure. He was a dedicated Dr. Pepper drinker, apart from a short-lived boycott after they sold the Dublin plant. And he enjoyed hating the Dallas Cowboys.
Steve was a fixture in his family. He was the grouchy but loveable uncle. He was dependable and always willing to help. He would scowl at you, then give you a big hug. And he had a great laugh. He will be deeply missed.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mike McDonald; great-niece, Emma; and hundreds of other relatives and ancestors he could have listed. He is survived by his sister, Mary Boydstun & husband Roy; brother, Brad McDonald & wife Niki; sister, Nancy McDonald; sister-in-law, Kathy Wright; many adoring nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends.
A memorial celebration will be 1pm, Saturday, Oct. 13, at Advantage Funeral Chapel 7720 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City. Graveside services will be 4pm, Saturday, at Little Cemetery, north of Seminole, OK.
Memorial donations may be made to BetterLife in Christ Ministries at 9700 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thursday, October 11, 2018, Page 7A.
Note: The Tennessee McDonald Clan is most thankful to Steve for all his research for our family. His. Cousins truly miss him and shall continue on with the research he has given us. Without him we would not know nearly as much about our family that migrated west from Tennessee. The Stories, the memories, and artifacts he shared with us are priceless.
Thank you Steve!
Your Tennessee Cousins
-------
James Stephen McDonald was born July 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Hoyt & Norma Lee (Robidoux) McDonald. He was gathered to his people on October 7, 2018, from his home in Moore, OK.
Steve was a graduate of Wichita High School North and earned his B.S. in Business from Oklahoma Christian University.
Steve had many careers throughout his life; including bookstore owner/operator, facilities maintenance engineer for Moore Public Schools, caregiver for family members, and caregiver for friends with special needs. He was also active with BetterLife in Christ Ministries, serving the African community alongside his spiritual brother and close friend, Isaac Olorunnisomo.
Steve was a voracious reader and book collector. His home was filled with thousands of books. He read mostly non-fiction and was a fount of (mostly useless) knowledge. He was the family genealogist, not just tracing his family lineage up through history, but also out to the fringes. He enjoyed educating his family on their distant, incarcerated cousins. He took several trips to cemeteries and other historic sites and met relatives along the way. He had an eclectic musical taste and used to make mix tapes for his friends and family to enjoy/endure. He was a dedicated Dr. Pepper drinker, apart from a short-lived boycott after they sold the Dublin plant. And he enjoyed hating the Dallas Cowboys.
Steve was a fixture in his family. He was the grouchy but loveable uncle. He was dependable and always willing to help. He would scowl at you, then give you a big hug. And he had a great laugh. He will be deeply missed.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mike McDonald; great-niece, Emma; and hundreds of other relatives and ancestors he could have listed. He is survived by his sister, Mary Boydstun & husband Roy; brother, Brad McDonald & wife Niki; sister, Nancy McDonald; sister-in-law, Kathy Wright; many adoring nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends.
A memorial celebration will be 1pm, Saturday, Oct. 13, at Advantage Funeral Chapel 7720 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City. Graveside services will be 4pm, Saturday, at Little Cemetery, north of Seminole, OK.
Memorial donations may be made to BetterLife in Christ Ministries at 9700 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thursday, October 11, 2018, Page 7A.
Thank you Steve!
Your Tennessee Cousins
-------
James Stephen McDonald was born July 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Hoyt & Norma Lee (Robidoux) McDonald. He was gathered to his people on October 7, 2018, from his home in Moore, OK.
Steve was a graduate of Wichita High School North and earned his B.S. in Business from Oklahoma Christian University.
Steve had many careers throughout his life; including bookstore owner/operator, facilities maintenance engineer for Moore Public Schools, caregiver for family members, and caregiver for friends with special needs. He was also active with BetterLife in Christ Ministries, serving the African community alongside his spiritual brother and close friend, Isaac Olorunnisomo.
Steve was a voracious reader and book collector. His home was filled with thousands of books. He read mostly non-fiction and was a fount of (mostly useless) knowledge. He was the family genealogist, not just tracing his family lineage up through history, but also out to the fringes. He enjoyed educating his family on their distant, incarcerated cousins. He took several trips to cemeteries and other historic sites and met relatives along the way. He had an eclectic musical taste and used to make mix tapes for his friends and family to enjoy/endure. He was a dedicated Dr. Pepper drinker, apart from a short-lived boycott after they sold the Dublin plant. And he enjoyed hating the Dallas Cowboys.
Steve was a fixture in his family. He was the grouchy but loveable uncle. He was dependable and always willing to help. He would scowl at you, then give you a big hug. And he had a great laugh. He will be deeply missed.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mike McDonald; great-niece, Emma; and hundreds of other relatives and ancestors he could have listed. He is survived by his sister, Mary Boydstun & husband Roy; brother, Brad McDonald & wife Niki; sister, Nancy McDonald; sister-in-law, Kathy Wright; many adoring nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends.
A memorial celebration will be 1pm, Saturday, Oct. 13, at Advantage Funeral Chapel 7720 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City. Graveside services will be 4pm, Saturday, at Little Cemetery, north of Seminole, OK.
Memorial donations may be made to BetterLife in Christ Ministries at 9700 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thursday, October 11, 2018, Page 7A.
