MCDONALD, Francis Charles (Frank)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, May 17, 2015 Francis Charles McDonald (Frank) was born in the small town of Paw Paw, Michigan on May 22, 1922 to Thomas and Ruth McDonald. At age 6, he lost his mother to cancer. His father, an Irish immigrant, was left to raise him and his two brothers. Dad graduated from Paw Paw High School in Michigan. Later, he enlisted and served his country during World War II. After returning from the service, he obtained further education at Michigan Veterans Vocational School, finishing there in June 1949. Around May of 1950, he boarded a train for Phoenix, Arizona, where he lived for many years. While up in Prescott at the VA hospital in the fall of 1951, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized at the old rock church building which still stands on Marina Street in Prescott. He enjoyed his service in many different church capacities during his life in Phoenix and Prescott, including Stake Clerk, service in the Bishopric as a counselor and clerk, Sunday School President and genealogy teacher. He mentioned that one of his favorite assignments was teaching the youth. Dad married his wife Nathala in November 1951, and they later divorced in 1979. They spent their first 12 years of marriage in Phoenix. Dad helped her raise 6-year old Karen Evans, her daughter from a previous marriage. They raised five more children of their own while still in Phoenix. Nathala presently resides in the Pioneer Home in Prescott. The family moved to Prescott in 1965, and dad worked at the Post Office in downtown Prescott as an IRS agent. He provided a beautiful home for his family with an inspiring view of Thumb Butte from the large front window. Shortly after the family moved up to Prescott, his stepdaughter Karen passed away. But one more child blessed their family, a daughter, Sara, who dad described as a ray of sunshine. Several years later, in 1971, his oldest son David was taken by cancer at the early age of 18. In 2002, dad had to move from Prescott due to health issues. He moved to Austin, Texas, where his daughter Esther resided. After his health improved, he decided to stay to be near Esther, who was over his care at the time of his passing. Dad served as treasurer in the Elks Lodge in Prescott and continued his Elks membership in his new home in Austin, Texas. He also was a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW). Dad loved his Irish heritage and his life in Prescott. His home in Texas was filled with things that reminded him of both. Above all, dad cherished his family and truly left them a legacy of love. His children were all blessed to be together with him in his final days at his home in Austin, Texas where he passed away peacefully on Nov. 25, 2014 from causes incident to age. His children are honored to fulfill dad's wish to be laid to rest at his beloved son's side at Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott. A private memorial service will take place in May. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Karen Evans; and a son David Alan McDonald. He is survived by children, Ruth (Van) Cosby of Flower Mound, Texas, Esther (Jeff) Lenk of Austin, Texas, Martha (Justin) McDonald-Dibben of London, England, Peter (Debbie) McDonald of Salt Lake City, Utah and Sara (Martin) Lujan of Tucson, Arizona; and 21 grandchildren. Information provided by survivors.