Daniel “Ross” MacDonald

Shawnee resident Daniel “Ross” MacDonald, 79, died peacefully in his home from lung cancer, surrounded by his family, Friday, June 26, 2009.
Born in Lynn, Mass., Ross joined the U.S. Air Force and while serving at a remote station on the Pine Tree Line, near Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, he met his bride, Eleanor (Cameron) MacDonald.  They married on Aug. 24, 1956, and raised six children together.
Ross loved his life and lived it to it's fullest.  He loved to spend time with family and friends, was a sports enthusiast (especially hockey), traveled, and had a special fondness for casinos. He freely shared his knowledge and skills with others as a lifelong volunteer in each community he lived and instilled this character trait in his children.  He was a member of the Lions Club for many years while living in Michigan and served a term as the State District Governor for the Lions Club. 
Ross and Ellie were true partners in love and life, sharing the load and doubling the joy. He said he loved her because she was the first woman who ever made him laugh.  Ross was also a man ahead of his time.  He was hands-on as they raised their children from diaper changing and bottle-feeding to carpooling and was a champion of Ellie's careers.  In 1971, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Ross was elected the treasurer for a newly formed chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) when he and Ellie joined the chapter together.
Daniel Ross MacDonald, TSgt, retired from the U.S. Air Force having served 21 years.  He retired again as a personnel specialist from the Civil Service. 
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, of the home; two daughters and their spouses, Kate and Mike Joyce of Shawnee and Sandra and Scott Volberding of Huntington Beach, Calif.;  three sons, Cameron MacDonald and his life partner, Linda Lidster of San Pedro, Calif., David and Jill MacDonald of Plymouth, Mich., and Todd and Genice MacDonald of Jupiter, Fla.;  his daughter, Jo-Anne MacDonald, who passed away on May 1, 2009, predeceases him.  Thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and much-loved nieces and nephews and four grand-dogs also survive him.
The family would like to thank Sooner Home Health and Heartland Hospice for the skill and kindness shown by their staff and counselors to Ross and our family.
Service will be 10 a.m. at St. Benedict's Church, Wednesday, July 1st,  with the Rev. Chinnapa Reddy Konkala officiating.
The family requests that memorials be made in his memory to the education trust which has been set up for Ross's granddaughter, Lynsey Duke, at ARVEST Bank, 201 N. Broadway, Shawnee, OK  74801.