James Lawrence McDonald died at home with his family at his bedside on December 1st after a 4 year battle with cancer. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Jim attended St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University. He served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy for 28 years, commanding VA-741 and rising to the rank of Captain. Jim later earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of North Florida. He worked for several national brokerage firms before completing his business career as head of McDonald Financial Services. Throughout his life Jim was actively involved in community service. He served as head of the San Jose Catholic School board, was a long-time member of Sertoma, Bishop Kenny High School Boosters, and the San Jose Country Club and was Commodore of the San Jose Yacht Club. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Clara McDonald, and his brother Thomas McDonald and his wife of 44 years, Mary Wells McDonald. Jim leaves behind his beloved wife of 8 years, Harriet Jones McDonald, and his 4 children: James McDonald of Santa Fe, Kathleen McDonald Troy (Gregg) of Gainesville, Thomas McDonald of San Francisco and John McDonald (Collette) of Atlanta, and his sister Mary McDonald Peel of Denver. He is further survived by his step-children: Jennifer Jones of Jacksonville, Courtney Jones of Stewart, and Kendall Jones Brees (Scott) of Chapel Hill, and 7 grandchildren: Patrick, Geoffrey and Ryan Troy, Declan and Pierce McDonald, and Kathryn and Rebecca Brees. Visitation will be held December 5th at 6:30pm at San Jose Catholic Church with Rosary and Vigil services at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in San Jose Catholic Church at 11am Thursday, December 6th with Father Michael Houle as celebrant. Memorial donations in James McDonald s name should be made to Bishop Kenny High School. Words of comfort may be left at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family.
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