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David List McDonald

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David List McDonald, age 65, entered the Church Triumphant on Saturday, January 25, 2014, as a result of a Primary Brain Injury sustained in a January 16 traffic accident.  David was born on January 4, 1949, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Wallace Irwin McDonald and Martha Louise Clinehens McDonald.  He was a 1966 graduate of Twin Lakes High School, Monticello, IN, and a 1970 magna cum laude graduate of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN, where he was a member of Lamba Chi Alpha Fraternity.  While a student at Wabash, he studied at both the American University of Beruit, Lebanon, and the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School in 1973, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1995 from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL.

 

On May 27, 1972, he married Carol Helen McCormick who survives.  They celebrated nearly 42 years of wonderful life together.

 

In September, 1973, David was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament (Teaching Elder) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by the Presbytery of Wabash Valley.  He served as Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Union Mills, IN, from 1973-78, as Associate Pastor of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, from 1978-81, and as Pastor of The Presbyterian Church, Wabash,, IN, from 1981-86. Between 1986 and 2004, he served the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a leader in stewardship education and consultation – first as consultant, then Director, of Church Financial Campaign Service of the PC(USA) and then as co-founder of Advent: Developing Generosity Across Generations.  During this phase of his ministry, he assisted hundreds of congregations across the country as they planned and implemented capital campaigns.  During these years, he was also an active participant in the life of Northminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN. In 2004, he became Director of Development for Jameson Camp, a camp for at-risk children in Indianapolis, IN.  And in 2007, he became Pastor of the Clayton Presbyterian Church, Clayton, IN – a call he considered a priceless gift.

 

An active member of The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley of the PC(USA), David served on the Presbytery Coordinating Council and as member of the Long-Range Planning and Vision Task Force.  He served twice as a commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and had been elected to serve at the 2014 General Assembly.

 

Those who will miss him deeply are his wife Carol McCormick McDonald, his sister Martha Carolyn McDonald, his niece Anne Elizabeth McDonald Frangos (David Charles Frangos) and his two great-nieces Kaitlin Elizabeth McDonald and Kimberly Anne Lacava – the lights of his life.  Throughout his 65 years, David radiated and encouraged a love of learning – especially during his 40 years of ordained ministry.

 

A service of Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN, with calling beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The choir of the Clayton Presbyterian Church will sing and a reception will follow the service.  Teaching Elders/Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Ruling Elders are invited to wear stoles. All are invited to wear colors of celebration.

 

Memorial gifts may be directed to Clayton Presbyterian Church, 4887 Pennsylvania Street, Clayton, IN 46118 or to  of Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Blvd., East Drive, Indianapolis, IN, for The Columbarium Project.

Reader Interactions

Condolences

  1. David, was a good and decent person a loyal and hard working servant of God. An excellent example of love, grace and thoughtfulness. I will miss him but, I rejoice that his journey is now complete and triumphant! Sola Deo Gloria!

  2. Dear Carol & family,
    We are so sorry to hear of David’s passing. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
    Love,
    George & Libby Milner

  4. Carol,
    I was so saddened to hear about David’s accident and death. Though I didn’t get to know the two of you well in the short time that I worked with you and David at Wabash, I understood your love and commitment to the Church. Certainly there is a cloud of love being sent to surround you from the many to whom you and David have witnessed over the years. May you find peace in the Word.
    Jane Willmert

  5. Carol,
    My prayers are with you as you celebrate David’s life. This is such a hard time for you and just wanted to let you know you have several people praying for you!
    Jill (Geneva center camper)

  6. Carol, I understand. I lost Jim last February after having to make decisions I didn’t want to make. Days will be filled with joy, relief, sadness, and exhaustion.
    Some days you will have to remind yourself to breathe, eat, and do laundry. I find as something reminds me of Jim I stop and count my blessings by saying thank you to God for the opportunity to share my life with him. You too have had wonderful years with David. And he knew you loved him. You made him complete. May God Bless you. Judy Friend

  8. Dear Carol and family,
    Your friends at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Il send our heartfelt prayers and condolences. May God bless you and your family.

  9. Beautifully written about the life of a beautiful man. My love to all of you.
    Kay Carter-Heath

  10. heartfelt sympathy and prayers for peace and strength for the entire McDonald family. Dennis and Margie May-members of Irvington Presbyterian Church

  11. A life well lived. My deepest condolences to David’s beloved family and friends. May God uphold you now and forever.

  12. Dear Carol & David’s family,
    May our Lord and Savior enfold you, strengthen you, comfort you, & give you perfect rest. You all have walked, no doubt pleaded, cried, & stayed awake for days. May you find unexpected celebrations & joy in the continuous songs, liturgies, & prayers of the church and the great cloud of witnesses and SaInts on earth and in heaven… As we sing forever Alleluias… To the King of Kings, & Lord of Lords! Thank you Lord for your gift of David in our lives!

  13. Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember David as a remarkable steward of the faith and ministry God gave to him. May our God continue to wrap you in love and peace in the days to come.
    Mike Kuner

  14. Carol and Family, in church on Sunday we asked for prayers for David, you and your family. After worship, I was told that David had died. We continue to hold you all in prayer and pray that you will be upheld mightily by God’s Spirit, love and grace.

    God bless you all!

    Love,

    Dolores and Donald

  15. I remember getting to know David (with Carol) at Synod School; what a gracious and gentle soul he demonstrated. What a gift he was, and what a loss. I am praying for Carol and all those who remember, grieve, and celebrate David’s life.

  16. Carol and Martha:
    David was a wonderful colleague in Whitewater Valley Presbytery. His work at Clayton was exceptional. Now we can say, well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the fullness of the Kingdom of God.

  19. Dear Carol,

    I continue to pray that the Spirit will bring you comfort and peace in the difficult days ahead. I never met David, but he was obviously a very special man. You have my sympathy and love.

    Jane Myer
    DCPC

  20. I know that David is being held in God’s loving arms. I hope that you feel them too as you journey on this changed road.

    With love and gratitude for both your ministries,
    Cossy Ksander

  21. Carol–I was deeply affected to learn of Dave’s accident and subsequent death. I have very fond memories of both you and Dave and your time here in Wabash and at Geneva Center… memories I will cherish always.
    May peace be with you,
    Krys Henderson Eckelbarger

  22. Dear Carol,

    What can I say–what a shock! I often think of you & David and remember the good times we had together while you were in Wabash. Dave & I thought so much of both of you as you were always so loving and so kind, so caring in every way. Truly you always showed the love of Christ to everyone. The above picture of David brings back memories. It is the way I remember him only he had bright red hair at that time! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am still in Wabash if you ever what to get together and talk over coffee as in the old days. My love, prayers and sympathy, Sandy Kunkel

  23. Peace and prayers to Carol and the rest of David’s family. Although I did not really know David, he left a lasting legacy among family, friends, and in the Church. He will be missed.

  25. Carol, David was my roommate at Wabash. As you can imagine after 42 years with him, he was a serious student, with a sense of humor surprising from one so intent. We taught together an adult Sunday School class at a small church in Dover, IN, a wide spot along highway 32 east of Crawfordsville. I think we were paid $10 each per Sunday, and had been recommended to the church by the Department of Religion. Our oft-spoken question was the purpose behind my appointment to the job. Although we had not communicated over the years, one need not do so to maintain a place in the heart. I miss him, knowing he is no longer with us. In the words of an erstwhile instructor at Wabash:

    What thou lovest well remains
    the rest is dross
    What thou lov’st well shall not be reft from thee
    What thou lov’st well is thy true heritage

    E. Pound, Canto LXXXI

  26. Rev. McDonald was a wonderful person. I visited the Clayton Presbyterian Church with my mother, Julia Carpenter, several times. He was so kind to our family when my mother was going through her last days. He never failed to visit her at least once a day. The world has truly lost a great man. I am so sorry for your loss and prayer for you. Know that he was loved by many.

    Bonnie Noe, Evansville, IN

  27. Dave was one of my pledge brothers at Lambda Chi. He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor. Dave’s ready smile and fellowship were appreciated by all who knew him. I remember how happy Dave was when he was able to go to the American University of Beruit at a time when Beruit was called the “Paris of the Middle East”. Dave was a great fellow.

  28. Dear Carol, so very sad to hear of the death of your husband David. My prayer are with you and family as you travel this part of your journey, knowing God is with you now and ever more.
    Dorothy Henderson

  29. Carol, I am so very sad for you and your family. I know at the several dire times in my life it was hard to remember God loved me. But, I always knew our great Comforter was with me and I never wavered in my love for God. Know that our Lord is sad, even devastated, right along with you. At Paris Presbyterian Church, we were given a Peruvian wooden carving of Jesus Christ with a crown of thorns on his head and he is weeping for the people. It sits on the pulpit to remind us how much Christ’s Spirit loves, sustains, cares for and comforts us. Please wrap that feeling around you to comfort you in the days ahead of you. Rely on your loved ones and multitude of friends and fellow Synod staff, commissioners, and colleagues. You are well loved and I know, from reading these comments and hearing you speak of him, David was well-loved and well-appreciated. I love you and pray for you and your family. Grace and Peace to you, -Laurie

  30. Martha, Carol, I remember Dave from our High School days at Twin Lakes and youth activities at the Monticello Presbyterian Church. I was so pleased that he attended Wabash where my grandfather attended and was in the same fraternity – I felt he was there in my place since they wouldn’t let me go there.

    Mary Ann Wunder, formerly Mary Ann Koestner

  31. Carol,

    I was shocked to get a call today notifying me of David’s death and please know that you and your family have my heartfelt prayer support. David was such a wonderful man and am blessed to have known him and shared his friendship and wit. I’ve missed him ever since he left the camp and enjoyed each of (too few) times together since.

    Brad Higgins

  32. David was a wonderful influence to so many around him. He had a kind spirit that reached people in a way that I have not seen before. People were drawn to David, and David helped all to know that they were accepted and welcome in his heart. Carol, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. David will be remembered in such a positive way by all who came into contact with him.

  33. Carol,
    I was so sorry to hear of your loss. David was a wonderful person and I am glad that I had the opportunity to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  34. Dear Carol and family,

    I ache with you at your losing your friend and partner. I hope you have an awesome celebration on Feb 15, and experience God’s love in many salient ways in the days and weeks to come.

    Love,

    CONNIE

  35. For many years I lived in the Kessler/Michigan Rd community in Indianapolis. I had to come to Clayton, IN to meet “Pastor Mc” (that’s what I called him). He befriended and encouraged this “Rookie Postmaster” in every way! I celbrate you now and Praise God for His Awesome Loving-kindness! Well done good and faithful servant! See you later!!

    Jay Majors
    Postmaster
    Clayton Post Office

  36. Carol,
    Please know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers at this time. It was both a privilege and pleasure to work alongside David on the Mission & Growth Team of Whitewater Valley Presbytery’s Coordinating Council. May God continue to hold you in the palm of His hand.
    Blessings & Peace,
    Mark A Huesing, Elder Commissioner, Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis

  37. Dear Carol, Martha and Family,

    We have lost a dear friend and faithful servant of our Lord. I have counted David as a friend and able colleague throughout our years of ministry in Indiana. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I give thanks for David’s life, ministry and friendship.

    Hal Thomas

  38. Carol, Martha, and family: What can we say to comfort you at a time like this when you have lost the smile and presence of your loved one? Only that we carry him in our hearts, knowing that he joins the great ‘cloud of witnesses’ who will have welcomed him with open arms. Such a wise, warm, and caring person, David will be missed by the many people he has touched and loved. My prayers for you all as we celebrate his life and memory–yours in Christ.

  39. Carol,

    I was saddened to hear about the passing of David. It has been a while, but I still remember the times when David would come to the Synod office smiling as he greeted each one of us. Even now I can see his smiling face and hear his voice. My wish for you as you move through this difficult time is rest and sleep or whatever is soothing to your soul and your heart.

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