Duane R. McDonald

Duane Roland McDonald, known by many as “Mac”, 92, of Columbia, Missouri passed away at The Arbors at Colony Pointe on Thursday, January, 28, 2021. He was born on July 4, 1928 in Columbia, Missouri to the late Otis McDonald and Sadie McDonald.

He joined the United States Air Force in August of 1948. He did 2 separate 3 year tours in England, and served 20 years and retired as a TSGT Technical Sergeant. He married Mary Louise Gould on May 20, 1950 and together they had 4 children, Nicki Clem, Cindy Haines, Dawn Kennedy, and son Lane McDonald wife (Diana) all who live in Texas. He has 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 4 step grandchildren.

After he retired from the Air Force, Duane worked as a supervisor for Boeing aircraft in Arizona and Texas. After retirement, he moved from Texas to Columbia to be closer to his sister, Donna Jean, and her 3 children. He was one of the most honest men we had ever met! He loved nice, fast cars, as he took pride in everything he owned. Duane was very particular with all of his prized possessions, and kept everything in top notch condition. He had a routine for everything and was very organized. In his later years, he would come to Centralia every Friday morning to meet his sister Donna Jean and niece Marsha Stout for coffee and conversation at a local restaurant. He was a very private person and he liked his alone time. The people he chose to have in his life he loved so much and I (his niece, Marsha Stout) had the privilege of being one of those people.

In November of 2013 he began to show some signs of dementia. His residence began at The Arbors in 2014. Mac was a huge blessing to me these last 7 years. The Arbors was no more than 100 feet away from my work so I was able to spend time with him nearly every day. He was loved by all who took time to get to know him, residents, their families, and staff. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by parents Otis and Sadie McDonald; daughter, Dawn Kennedy; his wife, Virginia (Jenny) McDonald; and grandsons, Mason Haines and Phillip Rosewell.