J.N. McDonald, Jr., 89, of Bay City, Texas, passed away at his home on July 12, 2018. He was born in Bay City, Texas, on December 22, 1928, to the late James N. McDonald and Vivian McDonald. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior on December 26, 1954, and joined the First United Methodist Church of Bay City, Texas, January 9, 1955, with his wife Barbara McDonald. They actively worshipped at, worked at and supported the First United Methodist Church of Bay City for the entirety of their 63 years of marriage. J.N. started working in the heavy equipment construction business in his teen years and by 1948 was operating draglines, dump trucks and bulldozers, soon to be followed by the purchase of his first dragline. From that meager beginning he built McDonald Equipment Company into a business that owned and operated nearly one hundred pieces of heavy equipment and support equipment. He took great pride in giving each of his customers "an honest day's work for his dollar," and he always undertook to "doing the job right the first time." His honesty, integrity and humility were characteristics that never left him and he lived every day by the Golden Rule and in obeyance of the Ten Commandments.

He was a Bay City High School graduate and three year letterman in both football and basketball. He later took up volleyball and water skiing and exercised daily until his last day. J.N. had an unparalleled work ethic and was an extraordinary role model for each member of his family. He imparted his Christian beliefs to each of us by living them every day of his life. The things he enjoyed most in life emanated from the First United Methodist Church of Bay City. He worked with the Boy Scouts of Troop 45 for many years, the Methodist Youth Fellowship for 27 years, actively participated in Sunday school until this year and was always happy to help the Sunshine and Rainbows Academy with their annual pumpkin patch sale.

He served his country during the Korean War and served his Lord until his last day on Earth. He is survived by his wife Barbara; his sons Nate McDonald and wife Sharyl and Brandon McDonald and wife Tammy; his daughters Denney McDonald and Tracey Davidson and husband Keith; his grandsons James McDonald and wife Callie, Bradley Wright and Preston McDonald; his granddaughters Skye McDonald, Kerensa Turner and husband Calan and Kelcie Davidson; his great grandsons Noah Turner, Alvin Davidson-Odom, Cooper Wright; his sister Maryann Sutton and brother Bryan McDonald and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Chris McDonald, his grandson N. Neil McDonald, Jr., his sister Joyce Turner and his brother Thomas McDonald.

There will be visitation at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for family and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for friends. The funeral services will be held on Monday, July 16 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Bay City with Reverend Russ Munch officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery on Golden Avenue in Bay City, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Craig McDonald, Coy McDonald, Keith McDonald, Mack McLeod, Kelby Pennington and Doug Thigpen.Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Farthing, Willie Gonzales, David Dawson, Paul Ivy, Eric Weigt.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to the Sunshine and Rainbows Academy at First United Methodist Church in Bay City.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, Texas; 979-245-4613