November 29, 1952 - March 18, 2022
Neal Clarence McDonald, our beloved husband, devoted Dad, engaging Grandpa and loving friend, passed away on March 18, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colorado at the age of 69.
Neal was born on November 29, 1952 to Glenn and Marjorie in Kadoka, South Dakota. He had three older sisters: Lavina (since deceased), Mavis and Margaret; then a younger brother Richard (also deceased). The family moved to Colorado in 1966, and shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Lois. The two were married on August 24, 1974 and had two daughters: Jayme and Brooke. Jayme and her husband Pat Santos have two boys, Elijah and Joshua; Brooke and her husband Bryant Bajema have two boys, Preston and Carter, and two girls, Brooklyn and Gracie.
Neal loved his family and he loved to have fun. As hard as he worked - and work he did - he played even harder. He also knew how to unwind, and two little girls dancing on hardwood floors to a skipping record player as Dad and Mom made dinner at the end of a long day won't ever be forgotten.
This gentle, soft-spoken man took his family - and many friends - all across Colorado and into Wyoming, seeking out the best places to boat, ride sand rails over dunes, camp, hike and fish. He loved adventure and would often turn his custom built Ford off the beaten path in search of the best new spot. Sweaty, tired and happy, the family would return home at the end of the weekend... to do it all over again just a few days later.
Neal was a skilled craftsman of - well - almost anything, but he spent most of his time meticulously restoring the finest muscle cars in the area with an eye that was second to none and an unrivaled attention to detail. He and Lois also built their dream home and barn on forty acres north of Wellington where he proved, yet again, that he could put his hand to almost anything and do it well, and where he also revived his passion for raising livestock; something he had enjoyed since childhood on the family farm in South Dakota.
As much as he did and as much as he knew, he would never brag. Instead, he'd talk about the skill of someone else he knew.
Really, that was what summed him up: putting others first, just like the Jesus he knew and worshipped. No matter how tired he was, he could often be found attentively spectating on the sidelines of a grandson's game, or cheering at the dance recital of a daughter or granddaughter, or paying attention to really anyone around him and how they might need help. And he didn't just talk about it, he did it by being present and involved for little and big moments.
Neal is already deeply missed. Sitting in a "white trash patio" (garage) with a drink, firing up the grill, biscuits and gravy from scratch, playing card or board games as country music played, watching Bronco games (and perhaps rivaling some tailgate parties at Mile High), the sound of a Cummins, and (someone) never able to keep his squinting eyes open for a family photo all held this one man in common. His sense of humor, determination to be a child at heart, and willingness to pull a prank on anyone nearby was ever on display and he was always approachable to his grandchildren, and many other children he knew.
Yet, as we grieve his passing, we don't sorrow without hope. Neal's young heart is free now in the presence of his Maker, and he never again will grow weak or weary, never be exhausted, never struggle. We greatly look forward to joining him on an adventure yet again.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be presented to One Hope Northern Colorado: www.onehopecolorado.com.
