Richard “Rick” Earl McDonald, 48, of Foley, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 at home surrounded by family and loved ones after a long, hard fight with cancer.
He was born April 4, 1960 in Highland, Ill., to Eldon and Sue McDonald. He spent eight years in the U.S. Navy, of which two were spent on the SSN Jacksonville and three were spent on the SSBN Alaska as a machinist mate (MM1(SS)). After his time with the Navy, he spent 15 years with J.B. Hunt trucking, where he went over a million miles without an accident.
He was also active in the HAM radio community (ni4tg). He was involved with the EOC, Baldwin County Amateur Radio Association, the Submarine Veterans Amateur Radio Association, as well as the United States Submarine Veterans Association (Mobile Bay Base).
He will truly be missed by those that knew and loved him. He always said he was a sailor at heart; “I have one consolation that lives with me today. That God is near to them in his own special way. So God in all Your mercy, keep near Thyself the soul, of every submariner, still on his final patrol. Lord, this departed shipmate with Dolphins on his chest is part of an outfit known as the best. Make him welcome and take him by the hand. You’ll find without a doubt he was the best in all the land. So, heavenly Father add his name to the roll of our departed shipmates still on patrol. Let them know that we who survive will always keep their memories alive.” (US Navy Final Patrol)
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Diana McDonald of Foley; step-son Shawn (Leslie) Smitley of Denver; his parents Eldon and Sue McDonald of Magnolia Springs; sister Sue (Tom) Gordon of Robertsdale; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Aug. 9 at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, Mo., with full military honors.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society via http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rick.mcdonald.
