MCDONALD, Walter Simms, Jr.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Walter Simms McDonald Jr., 79, passed away at his home on May 12 following a long illness. Walter was born May 31, 1931 in Wayne Township, N.J. Walter moved to Wickenburg in 1976 from Bernardsville, N.J. In Bernardsville he owned and operated “Mac’s Friendly Texaco” gas station. This was his passion and he was very proud to wear the red star because “You can trust your car to the man who wears the star.” In Wickenburg he operated his Texaco station at two different locations for only a few years. He then worked for Joe and Louella Johnson at Wickenburg Lumber. He loved Joe and Louella and cherished his years at the lumberyard. Walter was well known here in Wickenburg and in New Jersey for his community service and caring character. He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his military service he became a member of the American Legion and the New Jersey Jaycees. After his years with the Jaycees, he began his extensive lifetime commitment as a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was initiated in Somerset Hills, N.J., Lodge 1983 on March 18, 1970 and transferred his membership in 1976 to Wickenburg Lodge 2160. He held the title of Exalted Ruler once in Lodge 1983 and twice in Lodge 2160. He continued serving the Elks as secretary, chaplain, esquire, leading knight, and chaired many committees including Americanism, Youth, Sickness and Distress, Lapsation, Membership, Relief and Elks National Foundation. He was also an active member of the Past Exalted Rulers Association. Walter dedicated 43 years, over half his life, to the Elks and loved and cherished every day of it. His commitment to the four cardinal principles of Elkdom — charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity — were evident in the way he lived his everyday life. Walter helped raise his seven beautiful children and was always a great support in their many endeavors. Walter is survived by his wife Carolyn Cluff McDonald; step-mother Helen Kelshaw (Arnold); sisters Clara Todd (Philip), Dorothy Beasley (Dayton), Annabelle Hernandez (James), and Suzanna Capetta (Joseph); sons Robert (Joan) and Michael (Cathy); daughters Barbara Ann Bowerbank and Ginny Prevost (Robert); 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Walter is preceded in death by his parents; wife Barbara; daughters Mary Lou Sudela, and Claire McDonald; son Walter III; brothers Raymond and James and sister Nancy Beger. Walter will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Services will be Saturday (May 28) in Wickenburg. Viewing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home, 325 W. Yavapai Street. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church, 360 W. Yavapai Street. Interment will be on June 1 at 10 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. Donations can be made in his memory to the Elks National Foundation, c/o Wickenburg Elks Lodge PO Box 155, Wickenburg, AZ 85358, First Presbyterian Church, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home.