Leo W. McDonald

Leo was born in Many, Louisiana on February 4, 1933, the son of Wiley Green McDonald and Eva (Heard) McDonald. He was the youngest of their eight children.

Leo grew up in Many, attending Many High School. There he played Varsity basketball all four years, being named All State, as well. His team won the 1949 Louisiana State Championship.

After high school, Leo went on to play basketball on a full scholarship at the University of Arkansas. He was a Razorback through and through, being very involved in the University of Arkansas Alumni Association.

Many is where Leo met the love of his life, his wife of over 66 years, Ann (Pearson) McDonald. They met in Sunday school at age 5 at the Many Baptist Church, and were truly together ever since.

Leo McDonald was a man of devout and unwavering faith all of his life. He was a 50 plus year member of Shreveport’s Broadmoor Baptist Church, where he enthusiastically taught Sunday school for many years. While living in Houston, he attended Westbury Baptist Church for 10 years.

After being hired for a short stint as a shoe salesman for his first job out of college by Mr. J.C. Penny himself, Leo spent the bulk of his professional life working in the oil and gas industry. Initially, he worked out of Shreveport, where he lived and raised his family. Leo then moved the family to Houston, Texas in 1966 to pursue expanding opportunities. He returned to Shreveport a decade later to start a business for himself, founding S.T.A.F. Sales. After partnering with his son Tracy, they founded McDonald Industries, which was one of his proudest achievements. This was his second home and family.

Throughout his life, Leo was an avid and skilled bird and duck hunter, fisherman, tennis player, and golfer. He and his wife, Ann, have been members of East Ridge Country Club for decades. He was also a fervent animal lover.

Leo McDonald was a passionately kind and generous man, with a gregarious personality, who was always ready with a joke and smile. Lovingly called “Blisey” by his wife, Ann, Leo had the gift of putting people at ease. He personified the phrase “Never met a stranger”. He possessed a quick and irreverent sense of humor. A lifelong Republican, Leo would answer his home phone announcing, “Hillary Clinton Campaign Headquarters!” Those who knew Leo can certainly appreciate this irony.

Leo McDonald was a loving, proud husband and father. This wonderful man is survived by his wife, Ann Pearson McDonald, his son, Tracy McDonald of Shreveport, his daughter, Sally McDonald of Los Angeles, California, Tracy’s wife Zayda of Shreveport and her children Rachelle and Kevin, his daughter-in-law Hope Smith of Los Angeles, and his grandsons Miles McDonald of Shreveport, and Pearson McDonald of Los Angeles.

The family is planning a Celebration of Leo’s Life in the near future. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to the Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport. Leo would love that!

Rest in peace, DaWayne

Woo Pig Sooie!