James Robert McDonald – Colonel, United States Air Force

From a contemporary press report:

James R. McDonald, 73, an Air Force colonel who retired in 1975 as acting budget chief of the Defense Supply Agency, died of a blood disorder July 25, 1999 at his home in Fairfax City, Virginia.

He was a native of Cleveland and a graduate of Ohio State University. He received a master’s degree in business from Michigan State University.

He served in the Army Air Forces in Alaska during World War II and was a radar observer and master navigator during the Korean War. He also served in Vietnam during the war there as well as in Spain and Hawaii. He was comptroller of the 13th Air Force in the Philippines.

After he retired, Col. McDonald was a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch for 10 years.

His honors included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. He was a volunteer income tax preparer in Northern Virginia for the American Association of Retired Persons and a member of the Army Navy Country Club, the Retired Officers Association and Beta Gamma Sigma accounting honorary society. His interests included golf.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Dorothy McDonald of Fairfax City; two daughters, Dr. Michelle McDonald Johnson of Tucson and Megan McDonald of Fairfax; and three grandchildren.


McDONALD, JAMES ROBERT, Col., USAF (Ret.)

On Sunday, July 25, 1999, at his residence, JAMES ROBERT McDONALD, beloved husband of Dorothy McDonald; devoted father of Dr. Michelle McDonald Johnson (Robert) and Megan McDonald; loving grandfather of Helen, Erik and Amelia McDonald Johnson. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 12, at 11 a.m. at the Ft. Myer Chapel. Inurnment Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 613, Annapolis, MD 21404-0613.

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