Henry J. ìJimî McDonald of Phoenix, Ariz., died on Friday, Aug. 18, 2006, at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marion A. McDonald, and step-brother, Richard Prudhomme.Ý

Jim was born in Rush City, Minn. on Dec. 12, 1914, to Josephine (Maquire) and Clarence P. McDonald. He was the second of three sons born to the couple. After high school, he worked for his father and owned a bar in Pine City.

With the outbreak of WWII, Jim moved to California where he was employed as an inspector at Douglas Aircraft Co. He and Marion were married in Inglewood, Calif. on July 2, 1942, and celebrated over 58 years of marriage before Marionís death in 2001.

After the war, the couple returned to Rush City where Jim, along with his brother, managed the family business. Through the 1960ís, he and his brother, Clarence, co-owned the Ford/Mercury dealership and the McDonald Distributing Co. In the late 1960ís, Jim founded the McDonald Investment Co.Ý

Jim was a prominent local businessman and an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the community. He was known for his Harley Davidson motorcycles, his wonderful sense of humor, and his rather lackadaisical approach to hunting. Jim and Marion retired to Arizona in 1971 where Jim was able to ride his Harley year round, which he did well into his late 70ís.

Jim is survived by his three daughters Sandra McDonald (Ralph Hogancamp) of Woodbury, Linda McDonald of New Brighton, and Sheila (Butch) MacDonald of Hackensack; grandsons Brennan (Terra) Bastolich of Menomonie, Wisc. and Bryce Bastolich of New Brighton; brothers/sisters-in-law: Clarence McDonald, Jack (Margaret) McDonald, Jean Prudhomme, all of Rush City, and Earl (Phyllis) McDonald of Granbury, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at
11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Rush City, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Northern Ave., Ste A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85021. Arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service ñ Olson Chapel, Rush City, MN.

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