June 11, 1918 — March 8, 2016

TRAVERSE CITY — Paul J MacDonald, 97, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2016 into the loving arms of his Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was born on June 11, 1918 in Dowagiac to the late John H. and Pearl J (McGowan) MacDonald.

He graduated from Dowagiac High School and earned a Bachelors Degree from Western State Teacher’s College, now Western Michigan University.

Paul was a high school mathematics teacher and football and basketball coach, and also was a principal for one year.

Paul married Angie Ruth Rose on June 17, 1938 in Dowagiac, and the couple celebrated 75 years of marriage until Angie’s passing on Aug. 8, 2013.

Paul proudly and honorably served in the US Navy during WWII as an engineering officer in the Pacific on the USS Grundy. Upon returning in 1946 he was employed with the Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co., in Dowagiac and retired after 37 years as vice president in charge of the actuarial department.

Paul and Angie were members of the Federated Church in Dowagiac and then the First Congregational Church in Traverse City upon his retirement.

He enjoyed acquiring and refinishing antique furniture, fishing, mushroom hunting, officiating high school football and basketball, barbershop singing and being with family. In his latter years he loved entertaining others with his harmonica and telling the jokes and stories he carried around in his pocket.

Paul is survived by his children: Paula (Larry) Hofmeister of Kingsley, Michigan, Drs. Donald J and Ginger MacDonald of Federal Way, Washington, David (Ginny) MacDonald of Skandia, Michigan; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Angie; son, Gerald Richard “Dick” MacDonald; and brothers, Jerrold, Richard and Frank MacDonald.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held later this summer. At Paul’s request, cremation has taken place with burial to be at the Botanic Garden, located on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons. Please direct all memorial contributions to the Botanic Garden, PO Box 1247, Traverse City, MI 49684 or Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301.

Paul’s family wishes to thank the wonderful staffs at Dogwood in the Grand Traverse Pavilions and at Evergreen Cottage and also Hospice of Michigan for their loving care of their father, grandfather and great granddad.

Kindly share your thoughts and memories with Paul’s family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.