James "Jim" Lee MacDonald

James Lee MacDonald, of Westlake Village, California, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the age of 79, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on August 25, 1946, in New York, New York, he grew up in Sun Valley, California.

The eldest of five children, Jim stepped up early in life to support his siblings and single mother after his parents’ divorce. Even as a boy, he displayed leadership, initiative, and courage—running multiple small businesses, including a paper route from the back of his mother’s station wagon, and once saving his brother’s life during an ice cream truck fire. Jim was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a reflection of his commitment to character, community, and service. As an adult, he gave back by serving as a Scout leader for his son and for numerous other troops, mentoring young people in the same values that had guided him throughout his life.

Jim founded and led Align-Rite International, a semiconductor photomask manufacturer in Burbank, California, growing it into an international company with over 300 employees and leading its 1995 initial public offering. He helped establish Align-Rite’s European operations in Bridgend, Wales, supporting regional economic development and earning visits from King Charles III, then Prince of Wales. His company motto,“Our People Make the Difference, reflected his keen leadership and genuine talent for recognizing and empowering the strengths of others.

A lifelong lover of the beach, Jim spent hours riding his scooter to Malibu as a boy, where he discovered his passion for surfing. In later years, he combined that love with his generosity through his support of six-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater. For every perfect 10 scored by Slater in competition, Jim donated to the Space Coast Early Intervention Center in Florida, a therapeutic preschool for children with and without special needs, with contributions matched by the Quicksilver Foundation. In 2025 alone, his donations totaled thousands of dollars, reflecting his belief in using his success to help children thrive. He also supported Smile Train, providing cleft lip and palate surgeries and care to children in over 75 countries.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Angus MacDonald; his mother, Stephania MacDonald; and his brother, Patrick Kerry MacDonald. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Robin MacDonald; his children, Christina MacDonald, Jimmy MacDonald, Heather Burton, and Katie MacDonald; his five grandchildren, Mia, Paloma, and Matteo Madrid, and Owen and Bella Burton; and his siblings, Steve MacDonald, Rick MacDonald, and Heather Benado.

Jim’s life was marked by courage, generosity, and love. He touched countless lives through his family, his work, and his giving spirit. He will be remembered as a man whose passion and heart left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to share in his life.