Gerald B McDonald

July 25, 1930 - December 29, 2018 Gerald "Jerry" Bruce McDonald, 88, of Bakersfield, CA passed away on December 29, 2018.He was born on July 25th, 1930 in Modesto, CA to Warren Bruce and Bessie Hayes McDonald. Jerry lived nearly all his life in Bakersfield. After graduating from KCUHS in 1948, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving on the USS John A Bole DD-755,71st Destroyer Division. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Jerry joined the Merchant Marines for a brief period before returning to Bakersfield. He met his wife Janet. They married in 1954 and raised three daughters, Yvonne, Cathy and Sheila. He loved and enjoyed all animals and supported his daughters in their 4H and Gymkhana activities. He learned the heavy equipment operator trade at Griffith Company and joined the Operating Engineers Local 12. He owned and operated McDonald's Grader Service for 40+ years until he retired in 1993.Through all that time, he remained close to his childhood friends and established lasting friendships with those in the construction profession and maintained his membership and ties to Local 12. He and Janet also owned a 400-acre cattle ranch in Woody, CA. It was a frequent destination place with abundant fresh air, starry nights, wildlife, pure water, and area history. Jerry seemed happiest there. He could lose himself and the span of time by engrossing himself in all the hard work required to manage and maintain the land and improvements. His daughter, Cathy, worked side by side with him over that time in what is truly a "Labor of Love". Jerry and Janet established more lasting friendships there with the area ranchers and others,gathering cattle, cutting firewood, grading roads, clearing brush, often followed by cook outs and gatherings around the campfire where many tales were told. Affectionately called the "Captain", Jerry was strict, curious, intelligent, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to all who knew him. Jerry would spend hours talking about "The Old West", the deadliest gunfighters, the tallest tales and World War II history. He especially loved helping others and fixing perplexing problems. Jerry was a longstanding member of the Bakersfield Elks Lodge 266. He and Janet enjoyed staying at the Elks' RV Parks throughout the Western United States. Preceding Jerry in death is his parents Warren Bruce and Bessie McDonald. Surviving Jerry are his wife of 64 years Janet; daughters Yvonne (Dennis) Harms, Cathy (Gary) Hoetker, and Sheila (Marc) Walter; grandchildren Michelle Winters, Michael, Cody, and Brett Walter, and Chaunteel Clark; great grandchildren Cody Joe and Brooke Winters; and extended family by marriage. Viewing will begin at 9:30AM followed by a celebration of life service at10:00AM on Friday, January 11, 2019, at Hillcrest Mortuary in Bakersfield, CA. Rev. Msgr. Perry Kavookjian will be officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Online condolences can be left on Jerry McDonald's Memorial Tribute at www.dignitymemorial.com.