Kevin Alan McDONALD Obituary (2024)

On the morning of August 8th (after his loving wife of fifty-three years finished saying the Lord's Prayer, crossing him with the Father Son and Holy Spirit and singing Jesus Loves You); Kevin left with the angels. He left when his wife went to get dressed and begin another day caring for him at home hospice. The imagination says it was impossible for him to leave while she was at his side. He was so tired and needed to rest. Kevin began life at St Elizabeth hospital in Yakima. He was the second in a pair of fraternal twins. Kevin's early years were blessed by being part of a loving family. His Mother created a warm loving home filled with the aroma of hot apple pies and Sunday dinners. His father was a hard worker and passed on that work ethic to his four sons. The memorable family vacations to Lake Curlew and Westport remained in Kevin's heart and he told stories of those times over and over. Those early years fishing the Columbia and hunting pheasant in the lower valley carried over to his adult years and were passed on to his daughter and grandchildren. Kevin told them of his adventures as a child bicycling to Bachelor creek to fish. Kevin's father played piano and Kevin fell in love with music at an early age. He studied classical piano and was given the gift of a special touch. He enjoyed playing popular music and was in a band. He played guitar, drums and piano. However, the piano was his gift and he could sing so beautifully. His heart was filled with the most joy when he was able to sing and play at Mt Olive Lutheran Church as part of the worship team. His voice and piano playing touched the hearts and souls of many in the congregation who came up to him after services to thank him. Kevin had a strong work ethic. He had a couple of different occupations in the early years. He managed a shoe department earning top sales in the region. He was a copy machine repair and salesman. He was a combat vehicle mechanic in the national guard civil service at the Yakima firing center for 5 years. Then he became an industrial agriculture line mechanic for tree top and moved on to Del Monte in Toppenish where he retired as a 1A lead mechanic/supervisor. Kevin graduated from A.C. Davis High in 1968 then joined the National Guard where he went to Army Tracked Vehicle School at Fort Sill Oklahoma. He obtained a diploma from the NRI Institute Master Course in Microprocessor & Computer Technology. He continued training while on the job; taking Machining Lab Lathe & Mill at YVC and various courses at Angelus Seamer Schools. Although his job required long hours, shift work and seasonal seven day weeks, he found time to remodel three homes. He professionally landscaped all three when he fell in love with Japanese gardens. He had a Koi pond and waterfall he built at two of the homes. He won garden of the month for one of the yards he landscaped. Not to be outdone by nature he made a faux tree in the garage out of wire and cement and planted it with flower baskets every Summer so it looked like a real blossoming tree. People always asked "Is that a real tree?" Kevin made furniture out of Oak, a Hutch and Buffet out of African Embua wood. He built kitchen cabinets when he remodeled the kitchen and he built a special playhouse for Michelle. He also spent many hours in the garage restoring old classic cars. They came in as rust buckets and went out as incredibly beautiful machines. To get outside, in nature he went gold prospecting and made his own special sluice to help find the gold. Kevin LOVED his family. This last year precious moments were spent coming together and sharing laughter and tears. He was a jokester and if we didn't get the joke, he would get upset and say "Hey, that was a good one!" He loved his daughter Michelle from the minute he saw her, spending the first day at home just staring in awe at his precious little girl. He loved Skyler his fishing buddy and Brandon who cared for Grandpa's lawn when Kevin got sick. He loved his great granddaughter Kinsley, her sisters and mother with all his big heart. And he loved his dogs Murphy and Molly, they were his couch partners until the very end. He loved his brothers Jeff, Mike and Kim deeply and forever. Kevin is survived by his wife Vicki McDonald and his daughter Michelle McDonald (Larry Hernandez) and is also survived by his Grandchildren: Skyler Switzer (Allison) and Brandon Johnson. Great Granddaughter Kinsley Switzer and her two sisters Chloe and Addi. He is survived by his brothers Mike McDonald and Kim McDonald (Patty), nephews Tosh McDonald and Sean McDonald. His Special in-laws; Sister Sue Langston, Niece Andi Frisk, Nephews Jake Roybal, Dallas Sanchez, and Wesley Allen. As well as special Family Friend Marlene Walters. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Pearl and his brother Jeff and his Special in-law Sister, Lisa Roybal. The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to the following: Dr Matthew Uhlman for his warm caring heart and special care. All the doctors nurses and aides who cared for Kevin at Multicare Memorial this past year. Mountain View Home Health - special thanks to Cindy, Randy and Lyn. Heartlinks Hospice - special thanks to Mary, Chris and Santiago. The many other professionals in the medical field who cared for Kevin on this journey are too numerous to name, but our hearts are grateful. Thank you to our special friend Joli for baking apple pie, cookies and daily prayers. Thank you Pastor Knutson and Jim for the special communion visit. Thanks to all the prayer warriors at Mt Olive and all the others who prayed on Kevin's behalf. And a special thank you to our neighbors who surprised Kevin and touched his heart when they showed up in the front yard to help out. Especially Andrea for food, flowers and organizing the crew. There will be no services at this time as the family will have a private gathering at Kevin's favorite lake at a future date. Kevin wanted to be remembered exploring nature and thanking God for his blessings. Those wishing to make a contribution in Kevin's memory can give to the wonderful caregivers at HeartlinksHospice.org or mail to Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936). Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.