Graveside service for James Arthur "Jim" McDonald will be 2 p.m., Mon., May 14, at Fairview Cemetery, Vinita, with Rev. Weldon Foster officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Mon. 9 a.m.-noon.
Jim died Wed., May 9, 2012, at Rolling Hills Care Center, Catoosa, at the age of 76.
The son of Paul Irvin and Nellie Marie (Hamilton) McDonald was born Sept. 16, 1935, in Vinita. He grew up on the family farm, and started working at a young age. Jim was active in the FFA at Vinita High School, and graduated in 1953. He attended college at Miami Junior College and OSU. On June 22, 1956, Jim married Beverly Ann Eades in Nowata. They made their home in Bartlesville, where Jim worked as a lab technician for Phillips Petroleum. Jim was of the Baptist faith. He was baptized at Belleview Baptist Church in Houston, was a past member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Bartlesville. He most recently attended church at Central Christian Church in Claremore. Jim was very active in church, and served in many areas. He loved learning about the Lord, and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Jim loved being out in the country, visiting his family's farm, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Paul.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; children: Teri Avery and husband, Dennis of Claremore, Cathy Montgomery and husband, Steve of Nowata, and Greg McDonald of Oologah; mother, Nellie McDonald of Vinita; brothers: Kenneth and Marvin McDonald of Vinita; grandchildren: Charles Ryan McComb and wife, Brittany, Nick McComb and wife, Amanda, Eric Montgomery and wife, April, Travis Montgomery, Traci Mount and husband, Rob, Tamryn Cluck and husband, Jeff, Brad Avery and wife, Misty, and Toni Jackson and husband, Cliff; and many beloved great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alluwe Baptist Church, P.O. Box 82, Chelsea, OK 74016.