Richard McDonald, Sr.
March 26, 1942 ~ June 28, 2014
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Arden – Richard A. McDonald, Sr., 72, of Arden passed away June 28, 2014. He was finally reunited with his wife Barbara McDonald who passed away July 20th 2010. He was also preceded by a brother, Charles McDonald and a sister, Shirley Pate.
Richard worked at Norfolk Southern Railway for 30 years. He was a NCHSAA umpire for 45 years, as well as refereed basketball for 25 years. Participating in sports was his passion.
He is survived by two sons, Richard "Ricky" McDonald, Jr. and his wife, Annette and a grandson, (Brady), arriving in October, and Brian McDonald and his wife, Debra; two granddaughters, Brittany McDonald and Brooke McDonald and her boyfriend, Austin McCart; sisters, Christin Plemmons, Betty Baynard and her husband, Ed, and Mary Ann Payton; one brother, Robert McDonald and his wife, Shelby; many nieces and nephews; a very close friend, Bill Stewart and his beloved dogs, Jackie and Tasha.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road with Reverend Cecil Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Avery's Creek Christian Church.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, July 1 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WNC Fall Ball, P.O. Box 5944, Asheville, NC 28813.
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We are so saddened to hear about your father’s passing Brian and Ricky. The only comfort is knowing that he is with your mother and they are now reunited and his time of suffering is now over. He will allways be fondly remembered as a umpire on the fields of South Bumcombe and the times at TC when our girls played softball together. Our thoughts are with you, Debra , Brittany and Brooke at this time.
Our deepest sympathy,
Gene and Lisa McCurry
Linda and I are so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. We spent many years working together. We’ll remember him fondly, and our prayer is for Peace and Healing in the days to come.
No more pain….a new mind….no more forgetting and getting to stay in his own new home in glory land…..memories that nobody can take away, some that are public…some that are private, and a love that he instilled forever in your hearts…..sorry for your loss…praying for you…
We are so sorry to hear of Richard passing. Our hearts and prayers are with the family during his most difficult time. Time will never erase the memories of all the years that we worked together. May he rest in peace with Barbara.
I am so sorry about your dad. He was there on the ballfields for my boys & my grandkids. A long time. A special person to us. Know you are in my prayers,
I am so sorry , my thoughts and prayers are with you all . I am always here if you need anything or just need to talk. Richard was a great Dad and a great Uncle as well. He was a wonderful Husband to your Mom, and they are now reunited . Cherish all of the wonderful memories that you all have and that will help you as the days go on. He will be missed by all of you and so many more . I am so glad I got to see him awhile back , that was my last memory and we talked a lot. I LOVE ALL of you so much and know I am always, only a phone call away .
Debbie Carmack
So sorry to hear about Richard. He was a great man. I feel so blessed to have known him.
We are so saddened to hear about Richard’s passing. He will always be remembered as my favorite umpire while I was AHS. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Our deepest sympathy,
Gary, Amanda, Autumn, Parker & Cooper Brendle
I was sad to hear of the passing of Richard. I was a classmate of Richard’s at Valley Springs for, I think all twelve years. My deepest sympathy for the family.
Love, Donnie Dalton
Brian and Deb, I am saddened of the news of the passing of your dad. Richard was a kind man. What a blessing it is to know he is rejoicing in the arms of our Heavenly Father, and with your sweet mama once again. I will keep you all in my prayers during the difficult days ahead. He will cover you with his pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4
We were saddened to hear of your grandfathers death. You know you all will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Brooke and the rest of the family
So sorry to hear about your dad. We first met him over on the South Buncombe fields, after that he was never a stranger. Such a polite and kind man. If he wasn’t umping he was there watching the games. He continued to follow our group of boys on the field through their high school years. He can rest now, no more pain or suffering.
Our prayers are with you all.
Randy, Renee, Alex & Megan Ledford
Brian and Ricky,
Surely the LORD will be with you in time of sorrow.
He was and is a big,big man.
GOD bless you guys!!
Ricky and Brian, We are so very sorry for your loss, What a great man he was and was loved by so many people. You both and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hey Ricky I am so sorry about your loss Richard
Was such a wonderful person husband father dad and friend I learned so much from him about umpiring and life could not ask for such a great official in western North Carolina be hard to replace praying for you and your family I will come see you he will be missed in youth ball and high school his spirit and his smile will live on forever