James Mcdonald

James Thomas McDonald: James was born December 24, 1948 to Thomas Franklin McDonald and Opal Joan Clevinger McDonald. James (Jim) was born in a driving blizzard in Grundy, VA. Jim lived with his mother and father, along with two sisters; Nancy Sue and Judith Ann McDonald. In 1959, Jim and his family moved to Burbank, CA. His father, Frank was transferred one year later and moved the family to Santa Ana, CA, where they lived until 1984. Jim became an employee for the United States Postal Service in 1967. He lived in various locations in California until 1984. Jim was promoted in 1982 to supervisor of mail deliveries. In 1984, Jim transferred to Dodge City, KS, where he was promoted to Superintendent of Postal Operations. In 1992, Jim was promoted to Postmaster in Colby, KS. He remained as Postmaster until he retired in 2004. He met his wife Gayona in Colby, who also worked for USPS. They were married in Colby, September 4, 1993. After retirement, Jim & Gayona traveled to several states to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity. When Hurricane Katrina hit in Louisiana, they were there to assist in building homes. Other states they built homes included: Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. They had to give this up, due to Jim having back problems. The last several years, Jim & Gayona enjoyed working with the Food Ministry at a few churches. The latest on at Mission Thonotosassa in Florida. They enjoyed serving the Lord in sharing the good news and helping others during difficult times. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Opal Joan Wilkerson, step-father, Billy Joe Wilkerson, his father, Thomas Franklin McDonald, and his sister Judith Ann Wheeler. He is survived by his wife, Gayona McDonald, his sister, Nancy Sue Ronk (Allen), step-daughters Jerranda VanEaton (Shane) and Garrah Birdsall (Dean), step-son Brooks Wederski (Emily), brother-in-laws, Gary Vernon (Peggy) and Gerry Vernon (Laura), sister-in law, Gayle Huffman (Bill), 10 grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.