John Roy McDonald

John Roy (Papa-John) McDonald
1930-2015

On Thursday afternoon, October 22, John Roy McDonald took his last trip in a '57 Chevy. The trip wasn't as long as when he and his wife Elsie drove a '57 from Claremore, OK to the top of Pike's Peak and back; and it wasn't as fast as when he held the 1957 B/Stock record at the old North Airport Drag Strip in Tulsa driving the family car, a black-on-silver '57 Bel Air. But as with all things having to do with John Roy and '57 Chevies, it was no doubt accompanied by a great deal of pride. After backing his latest accomplishment, a beautifully restored convertible, out of his shop so a friend could fully appreciate it in full sunlight, John Roy suffered a heart attack and could not be revived. His doctor believes it probably was at least his sixth attack, but he had only sought treatment for two before this one. He was 85.

John Roy was born January 31, in 1930 at the home of his parents, Walter and Esther (Harris) McDonald, in Olvey, Arkansas. As a boy, John Roy was known for his skills as a basketball player and for an innate ability to fix cars, a talent he always attributed to his grandpa Harris, who was a blacksmith. He had many stories about rural life in the small town of Olvey. One of his favorites was the moment in time that Olvey was blessed with electricity. The electric company had strung the wires and for months a bare bulb hung over the kitchen table where the family was accustomed to only the glow of a coal-oil lamp. He said that when the 40-watt bulb suddenly lit up one night as he sat doing schoolwork, for a couple of seconds he thought the sun had come back up.

John Roy always considered his grandfather Bob (Mac) McDonald to have been his greatest influence, as he was the man who instilled in him the value of hard work. It was a lesson John Roy put to use every day of his life. His reputation as a hard-working man was a great source of pride.

John Roy married Elsie Lanning on September 2, 1950, and they recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. John worked as a mechanic for McDonnell Douglas during the 50s and 60s, and then for Peabody Coal until his retirement. He and Elsie then opened Homespun Daycare Learning Center, which they operated for more than 20 years. Many Claremore-area children will remember John Roy simply as "Papa John," the man who taught them to like biscuits and gravy and cinnamon toast.

John Roy is survived by his wife, Elsie, who still resides at their home in Claremore. John also is survived by all his children: his first son James (Jim) McDonald of Harrison, AR; his daughter Jeanie Weaver who is married to Bob Weaver of South Lyon, MI; their youngest son Bryan McDonald who is married to Dianna (Whaley) McDonald of Claremore; six grandchildren - Annie McDonald, Savannah McDonald, Del-Ray McDonald, Justin Mac Weaver, Jeremy John Weaver, and Jessica Jean Weaver; and, two great-grandchildren - Ellie Grace Weaver and Jack Arthur Weaver. John Roy also is survived by two sisters: Wilma (McDonald) Hefley who is married to Billy-Ed Hefley of Harrison, AR; and, Ronna (McDonald) Gilliam who is married to Rick Gilliam of Kerrville, TX.

A celebration of the life of John Roy McDonald will be held November 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N. Sioux, Claremore, OK. For more information, call 918-671-2029. Refreshments will be provided.