Tim McDonald
July 4, 1954 ~ August 14, 2003
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville - Harry Timothy “Tim” McDonald, 49, of 22 Knob Hill Road, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 14, 2003.
Tim was a native of Buncombe County and was the son of Ruth Smith McDonald of Asheville and of the late Harry Everett McDonald. He also was preceded in death by his grandparents, Planey H. and Kathleen McFarland Smith and Noah and Georgia McDonald.
He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was a Greeter and a member of the Rehoboth Sunday School class. Tim was an avid outdoorsman and played football at Enka High School and Mars Hill College. He was employed as a “team leader” with Nestle Purina Pet Care.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Karen Batson McDonald.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Sunday at First Baptist Church of Asheville conducted by the Rev. Dr. Guy G. Sayles, Jr.
Memorials may be made to Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805 or to Caring For Children, 50 Reddick Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
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Dear Karen,
I was saddened to hear that Tim died Thursday and wish to express my heart-felt sympathy to you and your families.
Although I did not know Tim personally, Kathy, David, Jason and Lauren have shared many stories of his thoughtfulness and the support he gave them and others shows what a sad loss you and your families have suffered.
He will always be remembered as a driving force and outstanding role model.
Please convey my sympathy also to Tim’s mother Ruth and her family.
If there is any way that I can help, please let me know.
Sincerely
Carol Coggins
DEAR RUTH, WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF TIM. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SPECIAL FRIEND.I CAN THINK BACK TO A LOT OF MEMORIES OF THE GOOD TIMES AT BENT CREEK. I CAN NOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE GREIF AND HEARTACHE THAT YOU FEEL AT THIS TIME.YOU WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS AND MAY TH LOVE OF JESUS BE WITH YOU AND COMFORT YOU. WITH LOVE, JAMES AND MARIE.
I shared my senior year of high school living next door to Tim and also being a Senior Class Officer. He was probably the most popular young man in our class yet he took the time to sit in his front yard with me one evening and share his thoughts and dreams of the future with me. I always admired him and knew he would be a success in all that he chose to do – We shared many many times of laughter and some of tears that Senior year – he is woven into my tapestry of my life- I have never forgotten him – and I never will. I am so sad his life was not a long one – my thoughts and prayers go with his wife and his mother. Tim left his footprints on many hearts. God Bless.
Karen and Ruth, you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Tim will be missed. I was once given this in my time of sorrow and it seem to help. I’m Free —- Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.I’m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard Him call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomarrow. My life’s been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all to brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.
In this time of sadness, Karen, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Classmate Enka High 1972.
Karen,
I received an email today from Rita & Rich in Hendersonvillle. Needless to say I was saddened when reading of your loss. I know you and Tim have been very involved in the church and this is the time Christ, through the members of First Baptist will extend his loving hand to you.
Please know you are in Sarah’s and my prayers & thoughts.
With Christian Love,
Roy
Thinking of you and praying for you during the loss of Tim. I know how much you loved each other.
My heart goes out to you,
Marcie
Dear Karen,
I am so deeply saddened by Tim’s untimely death and I know how much you loved each other. I could see it in the way he made you laugh and smile each time he called you on the phone and also in the way you beamed each time you talked about Tim. I’ve only known you and Tim for a short period of time, but I feel I have known you for a lifetime. The love you have is so special and so strong. Even though Tim will no longer be here for you physically, he will always be with you spiritually in your thoughts and in the memories that you created with him here on earth. He will be with you each step that you take.. each trail that you hike, each slope that you ski down..each trip to the gym… each time you walk your dog..each time you go for a run.. He will be there with you to cheer you on and make you smile..you were truly soul-mates. May God bless you and keep you strong throughout this period of grief. And may your memories never die or fade away… You are in our hearts and our prayers… You are strong and you will get past this terrible tragedy. I love you and am here for you…Please don’t hesitate to call on me…Your friend & co-worker, Sharon
Dear Karen,
I was so sorry to hear about Tim’s passing. I certainly have fond memories of my association with Tim through running and at the YMCA. His smile, his sense of humor, and his jolly laugh will be the ways I remember him most. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Joe Lockman
Ruth,
We express our heartfelt sympathies and condolences for the loss of Tim. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. We will definitely keep you in our prayers and thoughts. God is with you.
Arlo & Arleen
Karen, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I have been just where you are now. I know some of what you are going through. Know that I am thinking of you and am here for you if you need me. Take care of yourself and treasure all the wonderful times you and Tim enjoyed. It will get easier to bear…with time.
Karen, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I have been just where you are now. I know some of what you are going through. Know that I am thinking of you and am here for you if you need me. Take care of yourself and treasure all the wonderful times you and Tim enjoyed. It will get easier to bear…with time.
Karen,
My deepest sympathy for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you during this extremely difficult time. I’m so sorry for your loss.
God Bless you and comfort you during this time.
Leigh Hines
To the Family of Tim Mcdonald. We are very sorry to learn of Tim’s passing. I did not know him, but knew his Grandfather Noah well, and went to school with Harry.
Harley and Judy
Karen, you and Tim were always two people that we adored and such a pleasure to be with. Always a smile from both of you. Tim and Vic with their insults to one another for fun. Our loss, heavens gain.
Karen and Ruth
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to both of you for the loss of such a wonderful son and husband. Our prayers are with you both always.
Love, Vic and Effie Fisher
Dear Karen,
I am praying that Our Lord will fill you with comfort and peace to help you with the tragic and sudden loss of your ‘Tim’. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I wish there was something more I could do for you. If you think of anything, just call. Somehow, someday everything is going to be alright. Just hang in there, I know the going is tough. Time will ease your hurting. And please, call if I can do anything at all to help you out.
Love, Wanda Stewart D-17B
We are sorry to have lost such a selfless member of our community and church
I will forever cherish our memories
by old frend and class mate
Karen, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
We are deeply saddened by your loss. We will all miss Tim.
You are in our prayers.
Buzz & Linda Moon
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. I was a classmate of Tim’s at Enka High School (class of ’72). He was a good friend and I’ll always remember his ready smile and laughter. He was just a great guy to be around. I’ve also enjoyed seeing him at our past high school reunions and remembering the old high school days.
May God keep you all and give you His peace.
Eric Williams, Greenwood, SC
I would like to express my sympathy to Tim’s wife and family.
From a fellow 1972 Enka graduate.
We wanted to tell you how sorry we are at your loss. Tim was so very special to us.
We would be there today, but Larry must go out of town.
With our deepest sympathy,
Cliff and Nancy Brookshire
Karen & Ruth we are so sorry to hear
about Tim. We have been out of town
until this afternoon late.I will
see you sometime tomorrow.Our love
and prayers are with you. LOUISE &
Doyle
I am very sorry for your unexpected loss at this time. May God comfort you and be with you always.
We were so sorry to hear of Tim’s death.You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Don and Karen Cloninger
Karen, I had seen in the paper that Tim had died.I immediately called Jean. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jean is suppose to come to Asheville in October. Let’s get together then. Susie
We are so very sorry to hear of Tim’s tragic death. May God be with you in these upcoming days.
Today my heart is heavy as I’ve found out that Coach McDonald has gone to be with the Lord. I had only seen him a few times since he had coached me at Enka High School back in the early 1980’s. I had known of him through the stories my father had shared with me about Coach McDonald’s playing days at Enka and as one of his players I got to spend many a day trying to work hard enough to earn his praise. I remember him as an intense motivator that seemed to wear a perpetual smile. He taught us how to play wide open & I am sure that he lived his life that way. His passing makes me more aware of my own mortality & reminds me of how lucky I am to have been influenced by such a man. The bond between a player & coach, no matter how brief, can & did leave a lasting impression on me. May God Bless You!
I was so sad to hear of Tim’s passing.Mike Ferguson called me at my home in Virgina and we recalled many of our memories of Tim. Although I was just a manager for the high school football team,Tim made me feel that my contribution was important. He was always happy and always busy (or up to something).I know everyone who knew Tim will remember him fondly and miss him very much. My family and I offer our condolences to all of his family and friends.
I know words can offer little comfort to you at this time, but know you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Love, Cindy, Wade & Hershell Crisp
Dear Karen,
I just wanted to send a quick note with my sincere condolences! You and Tim’s other family members have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of this tragedy. I had the pleasure of working with Tim for awhile. I use to tease him that he looked like Jerry Van Dyke on Coach. I can honestly say I don’t remember ever seeing Tim without a smile. He could make everyone laugh for hours and it just came naturally.
We are grateful for having known him and know that he is in a wonderful place. I know you will miss him dearly! Please take care of yourself.
My Deepest Sympathy,
Lisa Gerstner
Nestle Purina
I have worked at Purina with Tim for the past 8 years. He was a wonderful person with a smile always on his face. I will miss him greatly.
Karen, you have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard about your husband’s death on Friday. After loosing one of my best friends to cancer at age 50 last year and then my Grandmother, within a six month time period, I know how shocking death is and how long it can take to work through the grieving process. I can imagine that the loss of your husband is even more difficult than the lossses I experienced last year. I know that you are such a strong person that that you will come through this on your feet. But, I just want you to know too that I am thinking about you and will be praying for God to sustain you during this time. I know that he will carry you and bring bright spots into your days to let you know that he is there nurturing you through this loss. Warm Regards, Nancy Lowe
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Tim. I met Tim almost five years ago at a training meeting when I started working for Purina. He was in my ‘group’ and was such a nice and genuine person that we kept in touch over the years even though we were in different regions. I am very sorry for your loss and want you know that he affected many lives and will be missed.
-Brooke Rosay
Baltimore, MD
Karen,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joe and Rhia
Karen sorry for your loss. I only new Tim a short time as my Team Leader but he left an ever lasting impression with his smile and humor.
Have worked with Tim for years thru Ingles. Tim is one of my favorites. He always made the day brighter with his smile and attitude. He will be sorely missed.
Karen,
Jim & I just heard about this and are so sorry for your loss. We shall be thinking about you.
Joyce Greene
Please accept our sincere condolences. Tim was a wonderful man and I will miss him very much. May God be with you in this difficult time.
ruth&karen, we are so sorry for your loss.tim is a wonderful person.our thoughts and prayers are with you. jim&lissa mcglamery
Karen and the McDonald Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was with Tim in Pittsburgh at a meeting a couple of weeks ago where he spoke very adoringly of you and your work. It was a privileged knowing Tim because of his warmness, compassion and zest for life. A passage in 1 John 4:16 comes to mind- ‘ God is Love, and he that remains in love remains in union with God and God remains in union with him.’ I hope this brings comfort when thinking of the love Tim showed to all.
Sonja A. Houston
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
Customer Marketing Manager- Humane Shelters
VM: 1-800-522-2114 x 8387
Fax: 954-704-9710
Office: 954-704-2100
Karen,
We have only happy/fun memories of Tim. Jack played football with him and he was my first single car date! What a great guy – he will be missed by sooooo many. You and his mom are in our thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you.
Karen, I was so saddened when I saw Dean Blair’s e-mail this morning regarding Tim’s death. He was such a vibrant person and I know your heart is so empty right now. I am sure you have many very happy memories to hold and cherish. He will be greatly missed by many.
Dear Ruth & Karen, we were able to attend the service, however, were not able to stay for visitation. We have to mimick the speakers in that everyone that knew Tim liked him and enjoyed his personality. He could have been a stand-up comic. I was fortunate enough to see him on Thursday at the MDI show and we had some laughs as to old ‘Laney times’ and other things. Karen, he was always telling something about you and Amos. Gene and I will really miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jane & Gene
Karen;
You may not remember this but we met in Charlotte last spring at a Purina dinner. I just wanted to let you know how much we will all miss Tim here in St.Louis. He was a great guy and always had a funny story to share. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Regards, Jack Breier, ORM Mananger Atlantic Team.
Ruth, I am so sorry to hear about Tim. I remember when he gave his life to the Lord at Bent Creek. What a GREAT young man he became. Our prayers and love are with you all. Gerald & Becky Greene
I had the pleasure of meeting Tim last week for the first time, and was lucky enough to share a Business dinner with him. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
I only new Tim for a short time, since I became employed by Purina in 2001. Tim was a great guy, fun to be around and always had a smile. Our organization will miss him, greatly. He made our work fun and this company a better place to work. My deepest sympathies to your family.
Karen, I was so deeply sorry to learn of Tim’s death. I can still see Skip and Tim singing those Kiss songs at our house in Charleston. That was back when they were young and carefree. Having just lost Warren I know all the things that you are feeling. I know that I was fortunate to have had 41 years with my best friend. The years that you had will be so precious to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jan (Skip’s sister)
In the fall of 1971 I had Time in my Math class at Enka High School. I was a student teacher then. I was so impressed with his winning attitude, his smile, and the respect he showed me at that time. I was also impressed with his athletic ability and was happy to hear that he had made a decision to attend Mars Hill College, my alma matter. My thougths and prayers go out to you, his family and friends. And I would say, ‘Tim’, thanks for the memories at Enka High in the fall of 1971. R. Bruce Gasperson
Karen
We are so sad to learn of Tim’s sudden death. I know things are rough at this time. We are thinking of you & love you.
Nancy & Mike Byer
Dear Karen,
Tim was a true gentlemen and a dear friend. I will never forget the twinkle in his eyes and his mischievous grin. We were advisors to each other for work and career issues and he always made me see the humor in everything. He was very proud of you and your career. Especially when you were promoted a few years ago. I miss him already.
Sincerely,
Teena
Dear Karen:
I pray that God will give you strength during this time and in the days to come.
Love,
Holly
Dear Karen:
I pray that God will give you strength during this time and in the days to come.
Love,
Holly
Dear Karen,
I wanted to send to you my sincerest condolences. Over the past couple of years I had the pleasure of working with Tim, and have only fond memories of the time I was able to spend getting to know him. Tim was one of the most enjoyable and dedicated people I have ever been around. He was always enthusiastic and took a great amount of pride in tackling a difficult challenge.
I hope you are able to find strength and comfort in this difficult time through the many fond memories that you and others share of Tim.
Robert Miller
We are so saddened to hear of death of Tim. Tim was a classmate of Earl’s at Enka High School (Class of ’72) as well as worked with Tim on the Ingle’s store sets for many years. Tim was a great guy and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss.
Earl and Karol Black
I was very saddened to hear of Tim’s untimely death. He was a wonderful person, always smiling and could always make you laugh. I know you will always have him in your heart …
I worked in the Charlotte office of Ralston Purina ’86-’98 and enjoyed working with Tim. He had great a sense of humor & had a way of making me laugh even on those days I didn’t feel like laughing. He was a wonderful person to know.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for the lost of Tim. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I will miss seeing him in the stores and around here. He was a good friend and co-worker. He was one of the few that when I heard his voice or name I would just smile. God needed this soul for more good than we will every know, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t miss him greatly.
With deep sorrow,
Earl Black
Karen,
Bill and I were so sorry to hear of Tim’s unexpected death. We want you to know that our thoughts are with you and your family in this very difficult time.
Sharon Waugh & Bill McDowall