Thomas Michael MacDonald

Thomas Michael MacDonald, age 79 passed away Friday, August 30, 2024 at

his Bakersfield home.

Thomas was born December 6, 1944 in Rochester, MN. He spent his early

years with his family in a number of cities in the Midwest including Michigan

City, Indiana; and Jacksonville, Quincy, and Aurora Illinois.

After graduating from West Aurora High School, Thomas attended the University

of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana where he majored in chemistry. His schooling was

temporarily interrupted by service to his county in the United States Army. After

receiving an honorable discharge, Thomas re-joined his family who, as a result of his

father’s job, had moved to Orange, California. Thomas enrolled at California State

University, Fullerton where he graduated with a degree in psychology.

While pursuing higher education, Thomas experienced first hand a

quintessential part of American histor y by spending several summers working

for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy and the Los Angeles Jun ction railroads.

After college graduation, Thomas settled in North Hollywood and worked at

variou s southern California locations of several o il companie s, eventually

becoming the southern California area supervisor for USA Oil.

Thomas retir ed to Baker sfield, CA in 2008, where Theresa became his loving

wife, in 2015.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome A. and Ruth Patricia

MacDonald, by his nephews John Jerome Tapp and Steven Joseph MacDonald,

and by his niece Theresa Lynn Tapp.

Thomas is survived by his wife Theresa, his sister Mary Ellen Tapp of

Hendersonville, Tennessee, by his brother Richard Joseph MacDonald and his

wife Anita Klaassen MacDonald of Jane sville, Wisconsin. Tho mas is also

survived by his nephews Philip David MacDonald, and Joseph Merle Tapp, and

by his niece Tam mie Nanette Turco (nee Tapp).

Thomas enjo yed beautifying his yard, caring for his dogs, and when he was

younger, playing tennis at school and with his brother Richard.

A visitation for Thomas will be held Monday, September 23, 2024 from 9:00

AM to 10:00 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest, 9101 Kern Canyon Ro ad,

Baker sfield, CA 93306. A funeral service will occur Monday, September 23,

2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA

93306. A graveside service will occur Monday, September 23 , 2024 from 11:00

AM to 11:45 AM, 9101 Kern Canyon Ro ad, Bakersfield, CA 93 306.