George Neil McDonald

On September 27, 1969 he married Margo Lee McDonald (nee Walters). The couple was happily married for forty-two years after being introduced by their mutual friend, Marv Melville, in 1967. They had two children, Mollie McDonald and Michael McDonald, who will immensely miss their father’s guidance and sense of humor.

George graduated from East High School in 1951. From 1951 to 1955, he attended the University of Utah where he was a member of the Beta Theta Phi Fraternity. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology. Following graduation he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the 10th Mountain Division in Leadville, CO teaching powder skiing and cold weather survival skills.

In 1960, George received an MBA from the University of Utah. After graduation, George worked as a stockbroker for Hogle Stock Company. In 1974 George left his career as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch and founded Canyon Courts, Inc., a business which constructed tennis courts throughout the Intermountain West. Canyon Courts laid the innovative blue track at Brigham Young University which was the site of the 1982 NCAA Track and Field Championships.

In 1994, George changed careers again after buying Medical Alignment Systems, Inc. He ran this business until his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease after which Margo took over management.

Second only to the love of his family and friends were his love of sports. George was a consummate skier, tennis player and soccer player. He worked with the U.S. Forest Service clearing the slopes of Solitude Ski Resort before its existence. He was a walk –on player with the U of U Football team; he played basketball with life-long friends until his 60’s; his golf swing was sublime; and he fished the rivers of Utah and Idaho with delight.

Fortuitously, George married a woman equal to his sports skills. Margo is an Olympic ski champion and a competitive tennis-player and runner. They shared their joy of competition and physical exhilaration. They also shared a mutual respect for each other. Other than a patient tolerance for his messy car, Margo shaped him up into an ideal husband and play-fellow!

George will be missed by many family members: wife, Margo McDonald; children Mollie McDonald (Eric Jensen) and Michael McDonald: grandchildren, Margo and Milo Jensen; siblings, John McDonald, Dennis McDonald, Kathleen Stout and Patricia Campbell. His brothers-in-law, Mason Stout and Courtney Campbell, preceded him in death. He will also be missed by numerous fellow “players-at-heart” who shared his joy-in-life and philosophy not to take life so seriously.

His family is deeply grateful for the care and kindness George received at the Utah State Veteran’s Nursing Home during the last five years of his life.

There will be no funeral service at this time. On February 14, 2012 his family will be hosting a celebration of George’s life. Details about this event will be posted on the website http://mcjensen.net/George. Please leave your condolences at www.wasatchlawn.com.