Eugene McDonald passed away Jan. 26, 2014. Gene and his twin sister Tamma were born Feb 10, 1934. They were the youngest of six children born to Merton Lorene and Leo Glenn McDonald.
In 1952 Gene joined the Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He was a part of the artillery division and a truck driver. Upon his return to the US Gene finished his tour as a clerk.
After his military career in the marines, in 1958 Gene joined the Miles City VFW. In 1959 Gene started working for his brother at McDonald’s North American as a truck driver. While driving truck Gene was able to visit 48 states, Alaska and Canada. Gene also worked for Char El trailers and on many ranches.
In 1959 Gene began his involvement in the VFW post 1634 in Billings and was very active in the Post activities until illness forced him to retire in Nov 2013. In the 1990’s Gene was Quarter Master and from 2000-2011 Gene was Commander for VFW Post 1634. Gene was also VFW district 3 commander, State Inspector for the VFW Dept. of Montana. Gene attended several state, regional, and National conventions, earning awards for VFW Post 1634 and himself.
He was also member of the Marine Corps League, United Veterans Council, and American Legion Post 4. Gene was instrumental in starting support for the troops sending package to soldiers around the world. He was on the board for Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. Gene also served on the board for the Veteran’s Cemetery in Laurel which is designated as a National Veteran’s Cemetery.
Gene was proceed in death by his twin sister Tamma, his parents Merton and Leo, brothers Wilber, Bob, Bruce and sister Shirley. He is survived by several Nieces and Nephews.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, Montana 593001
Interment with Full Military Honors
Saturday February 1, 2014
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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D'Alene McCants says
My sincere condolences to the Gene McDonald family. He was a good friend to my late husband, Jim McCants. He will be missed by all who knew him. D’Alene (Dee) McCants
Mary McClarty says
Thoughts and prayers for Gene’s family. Our family had the honor of knowing Gene for decades as he was one of my dad, Pete Petro’s very best friends. We will all miss him very much.
Colleen Gilbertson says
Gene was such a good friend of my husbands family. Don and Fran loved him very much. He was like family to them and my husband Greg called him Uncle Gene. I had the pleasure of meeting Gene for the first time this past September. I’m so happy Gene joined Greg and I for an outing one day and we went on a boat ride through the Gates of Montana. I have wonderful photos of that day and I am so grateful that I had a chance to finally meet him last Fall. Loved him the second we met and I’m sure he’s still telling all his wonderful stories to his new friends up above. May he rest in Peace with that wonderful smile of his.
Bill Petro says
We lost a real good one in Gene. Former Marine, Korean War Vet, big help to fellow Vets through all his work at the VFW. Gene was a real giving person. Was a great friend of our family forever. RIP Marine!!! Say hi to Pete up there in Heaven. I am sure you two will have a lot to talk about.
Chuck Carroll, Dept of MT VFW Chaplain says
When the call of freedom was heard Gene answered with his blood, sweat and tears and his self was forgotten in the cause of the greater good. The day that Gene left his home to defend his country, imbued by a spirit of devotion and inspired by an undying love of his native land, he gladly went forth and joined with fellow Americans to preserve our heritage of freedom. He rang that bell of freedom and he stayed over there until it was over, over there. As a brave man he marched away with an abiding faith in his God and his flag. As a veteran, Gene served impeccably and with distinction in numerous VFW Post and District capacities including Commander and Quartermaster. We trust that the example set by Gene from his military experiences to his devotion to veterans’ causes will prove a glorious beacon to the youth of our country who may be called upon to uphold the honor of our flag. As we gaze upon our flag waving freely in the wind we must surely agree that the red is made redder by Gene’s heroism, the white more stainlessly pure by the motives that guided him, and in the starry field of our Nation’s immortal banner, the blue has been glorified and preserved by the unselfish service that he has given to his Country, his Family and his Community.
Chuck Carroll, Montana Department Chaplain
Bob Gilbert says
Gene, my cousin, was a true American, served his country and proud of his country. Gene helped out so many of his friends when they had troubles. Gene was active in both the Miles City and Billings VFW and felt the clubs were very important. He represented the VFW very well as any Marine will do.
When I was perhaps 12 I rode with Gene in a McDonalds moving and storage truck on a trip from Miles City to Billings and I remember it like it was yesterday. We stopped at a rest stop just west of Forsyth but can’t remember the reason. Gene was very faithful to his brother Bob who owned the van lines and was faithful to his family members. He, for certain, was appreciative of Bobbie Jo for caring for him in his final days and makeing arrangements.
Semper Fi–Gene, you deserve the best in your after life.
Katie Backer says
Last year, the local VFW chapter arranged to have Gene come speak for my U.S. History class. The students LOVED him! He was so kind and humble. A true hero. It was an honor to meet him. I am so sorry for your loss, and will continue to keep you all in my prayers. God bless you Gene!
Roaddog Curley says
I had the pleasure of knowing Gene from the Char-El homes days, he was always a joy to work with, he worked with our club through out the last 15 years and helped us out when we need any. He will be missed by many. Gene may you Rest In Peace old friend.
Glenn H. Myers says
First met Gene while I was at the 495th Ordnance Battalion in Billings. He and his VFW gang did so much for the Soldiers in our Unit! He was a dear friend. I’m so sorry we lost this old warrior.
Bobby Pulley says
Had gotten to know Gene over the past 15 years or so. What a great man human being and veteran. Always there for anyone in need. I had the pleasure of working as a bartender for a few years under Gene at the Post. He was a big help with our Annual Golf Tournament, a fund raiser for the Post, and he will be missed at the upcoming 12th annual event this June. Gene loved to roam around the tournament on his own golf cart and check on everyone and to just say hello and share a laugh and a photo. Gene McDonald may you rest in peace old friend! We all will miss you!
Kelly Klein says
I met Gene in the 90’s at the VFW Post 1634 on Moore Lane. He always had something funny to say and he used to joke that we was the “real” father of my twins since he was a twin himself. My husband used to ask him for the child support check quite often. Gene also had a cuss jar at the VFW. He didn’t tolerate too much swearing and he if caught you, you had to pay up. He assisted me with a lot of the paperwork for the VFW programs over the last couple of years and he spoke about the Korean War to local high school students. He had to present a few awards last year and when he found out he had to give a speech here and there he wasn’t happy about it, so he made me write the speech for him. I will miss his early morning phone calls (630 am) and his fun and warm personality. Goodbye my friend! We all loved you so very much!
Linda Deavila says
I had the honor to volunteer at the VFW Post 1634 working with Gene for the past 12 years with the program him and Glenn Myers started with sending care packages to our troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was very proud and dedicated to supporting our troops and was very partial to that program. I’ll always remember his drinks – holy cow – I only needed one of them because they were so strong. haha Gene always had time for everyone and was such a giving and loving man willing to help those in need at a moments notice. I’m so glad I was able to visit with him so I could tell him thank you for being such a good friend and for his dedication to our troops. Bobbie Jo, he always spoke highly of you and he was blessed to have you to make his last month more comfortable in your home. Thank you. The picture you have with his obituary is wonderful – that shines Gene through and through. May you rest in peace, my friend – you will be greatly missed.
Mary Faye Manley says
Gene and Pete, two nice guys that were real friends to each other. a close bond. They bring a smile to my face when I think of them. Rest Gene knowing you will be remembered fondly.
Tim Pinter says
I worked with Gene back in the Char-El days. He was a pleasure to be around, a kind and caring man who I always considered a friend. Though over the years our paths only crossed a few times, it was always good to see him. God bless you and keep you Gene.
Joanne Dolan Wiemann says
I knew Gene through-out most of our school years and it was a pleasure. His smile comes to mind first then his eagerness to being a friend. There are fond memories of he, Petro and Jack in our hi-school years. What a good friend he was and a lot of fun. An honor to know him.
He surely will be missed.
Grant Mosby says
One of the best friends anyone could have.
Mary Lou Richardson Keating says
My fondest memories of Gene are from the 1950s as there were many of us who spent much time at the McDonald home. His Mom was always there to welcome us with treats. Gene stopped to see us in Glasgow,MT when our girls were little. He will remain special to many of the Custer County High School Graduates. To each of his family and friends you will be thought of in prayer.
grace hines says
At our age, aren’t memories fresh as the day they happened?….you took me right back to our wonderful days at CCHS and being a ‘teen’….I will never forget your wonderful smile and doubt if there was a kinder person than Gene. I am sorry we didn’t connect during the years to follow. Now it is too late….let this be a reminder. Sad to think you are gone off ‘yonder’ but reading the comments about your life; I am sure it was a ‘Life Well Lived’ . Adios my highschool friend.
Stevenson Staff says
To My Uncle From His Nephew Barry McDonald……
My uncle Gene has been a tall, big-hearted and loving man my entire life. I can say without reservation that Gene always put others ahead of his own interests. He moved back to Miles City to care for his sick father, for the last four years of his life. He also cared as best he could for his three brothers and sister, in their final hours. Throughout his life he set a great example of what is meant to be a good man. He was honest, hard-working, funny, kind, generous, patriotic, and loving towards family and friends alike. Every memory I have of Gene – camping in Yellowstone Park, working at McDonald’s NA, vacationing in Hawaii, playing cribbage, playing with his dogs, returning from Korea, visiting me in college, Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Miles City, arguing with my dad, laughing with his brothers, and giving my wife and mother a tour of the new VFW Post (he was so proud of) – is lovingly etched into my memory of him. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the loving care Bobbie Jo provided Gene all his life, but most especially during these last difficult days of his life. If you know the kind of person Gene was, you will see all that reflected in who Bobbie Jo is.
Barry McDonald – Nephew
Janet Potter says
Dear Family & Friends,
Eugene was a wonderful person. A close friend, happy, kind and always ready to help. We enjoy the memories of our times together.
We send our Sincere Sympathy & Love.
Janet & Ray Potter
Lynn Fitz says
Here’s a final and heartfelt farewell to a genuine nice guy, always cheerful and willing to help. See you on the other side, Gene! Lynn Fitz
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Eugene McDonald – May you find comfort in your loving memories, great pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. McDonald. It was not the Creator’s purpose that mankind suffer and die (Romans 5:12). God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). In the Bible we are promised the resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Jerry Pelzl says
Gene was my best friend throughout our high school years and that one year at Custer County Jr College. It is with great sorrow I learned of his passing. We had many memorable experiences together…one summer we worked and resided with Pete Petro and his family on their ranch near Mildred, MT. In 1952/53 Jack Sims, Gene and I attended (uninvited) many Saturday night dances at some of the rural small towns in southeastern Montana…the local girls thought we were great but that feeling was not shared by the local cowboys. Sometimes we had to leave in a hurry.
I will always remember Gene and he will always be my friend. Jerry Pelzl