Polk County FlArchives Obituaries.....McDonald, Henry Webster, Jr. March 2, 2012
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
William McDonald williamteomi@gmail.com September 3, 2014, 10:26 pm

Lakeland Ledger, 3-4-12
Henry Webster McDonald Jr. was born in Barwick, Georgia on March 23, 1926 and 
passed away in Bartow, Florida as the result of a stroke on March 2, 2012. 



Henry was a veteran of WWII, U.S. Navy, Machinist Mate, 2nd Class, 1942 to 
1946, and among other duty stations he served in Long Island, New York where he 
was active in testing new technology involving torpedoes, the Pacific Theatre 
aboard the LST 747, and in the Atlantic Theatre as he sailed aboard the 
aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Croatan in order to retrieve service members from 
France, and ferry them back to the continental United States. At one time or 
another during the war, he also sailed aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. 
Nausett.



He was self-employed as the owner of McDonald Exterminators in Bartow, Florida 
from 1959 - 1990, and established a reputation for fairness and integrity in 
this, and surrounding communities. At his retirement, McDonald Exterminators 
was left in the able hands of Bob Edwards and the business still exists today.



During his retirement years, Henry and his wife, Erma lived in Connersville, 
Florida until 2004, when they moved to Floral Lakes Mobile Home Park in Bartow, 
Florida. 



Mr. McDonald enjoyed compiling family genealogy, reading, western movies, 
country music, gardening, bird watching, and fishing off his own dock in the 
lake behind his house. He was an accomplished landscape artist and his 
paintings can be found in homes and businesses throughout the United States.



Henry loved his family and socializing with good friends, especially relatives 
and neighbors, who often stopped by, usually without notice, to visit his wife 
and him.



Henry and Erma McDonald were married for 63 years having lived in Coral Gables, 
Florida, Highland City, Florida, Connersville, Florida and Bartow, Florida.



He was the son of Henry Webster McDonald Sr. and Ruth Daisy Cone McDonald, and 
the step-son of Mabel Turner McDonald, his father's second wife. He had seven 
siblings: J.W. McDonald, and Virginia Duncan(deceased), and Jewel Messer, 
Jeanette Hanson, Evelyn Bess, Robert McDonald and Juanita Richardville. 



Henry and Erma McDonald were the parents of Dr. William Royce McDonald, (wife 
Lou Jean) Robert Wayne McDonald, (wife Sharon) Russell Brent McDonald, Linda 
Susan (McDonald) Osteen, Marianne Swofford Manuele, God-daughter and Bob 
Edwards, God-son. He had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; whom 
he loved and who loved him in return.



The McDonald family wishes to thank Rev. Elwood Kern for the time and 
friendship he contributed to our loved one during his declining days. The 
visitation and prayers of Roy Lowe, (my mother's pastor) are also appreciated 
more than we can convey. Daddy's neighbors, Rev. Dick Thompson and Jean 
Thompson have been wonderful to visit (my) father over the past few months, and 
have provided food and support to (my) mother after he passed.



Henry was a sincere and honest man, a good and hard working man, a man who knew 
how to laugh and be a friend, a devoted husband and father. 



He will be missed by all who knew him, and not soon forgotten.



******

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 24th at 1115AM at Bartow First 
United Methodist Church, Bartow, Florida. Rev. (Pastor) Roy Lowe officiated 
with the assistance of Rev. Dick Thompson, Methodist minister and former U.S. 
Army Chaplain, and Rev. Elwood Kern, Pastor, Bartow Church of God, Bartow, 
Florida. Royce McDonald offered a remembrance of his dad, Henry McDonald, and a 
song, "Amazing Grace." Carol Keen accompanied on piano. Nita Richardville, 
Sister, Shirley Dicks, Friend and Rev. Dick Thompson, Neighbor shared memories. 
Pastor Lowe concluded with a message which spoke of "A Good Name," and reminded 
the congregation that Jesus is the best, most crucial and ever eternal name by 
which we must be saved. The service concluded with a congregational hymn, "How 
Great Thou Art."



Well over a hundred friends and family attended the memorial service. There was 
a reception for the family following hosted by The First Methodist Church 
Bereavement Committee. Afterwards, immediate family members of Henry McDonald 
gathered at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, Florida to celebrate his life, and inter 
the urn at his gravesite.



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