Birth date: Nov 30, 1928 Death date: Dec 9, 2014
James Frank “Jimmy” McDonald, D. Ph., 86, of Memphis, died on December 9, 2014 at Baptist Hospital. He was born on November 30, 1928 in Memphis to Frank and Myra Nolen McDonald. He was predeceased by his sisters, Kathryn M. McNeer Read Obituary
Dear Betty and KevinVery sorry to hear this news, Dr McDonald added some very important contributions to my education and development. I am very grateful for the many things he and his family have shared with me over the years. He was a great man and will be deeply missed.My thoughts and prayers are with you.Fred Mahler
Dear Betty, Kevin and Mary Jane, I was so sorry to read today (12-16-2014) about “Jimmy”. I had appreciated his life so much through the years since 1975 when Kevin and I started Pharmacy school and I probably did not tell any of you when I had the chance. I was out of town at the ASHP meeting and missed all communication until today. He was always so approachable and kind when explaining something to us as a pharmacy student, a rookie or even as I saw him later in life as a hospital pharmacist. I somewhat envied Kevin as having a father who was so nice and so interested in making the practice of Pharmacy better for all of us who were just getting a taste of being a healthcare professional. All of the Pharmacy “stuff” paled in comparison to how his eyes lit up when he would speak of Kevin, Mary Jane, and the grandchildren. I feel honored to have known him through many years and I am sorry that I could not be there to celebrate his life and to express the sympathy that I feel in his loss. I hope that you all find comfort in each other. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead.
Dear Betty, Kevin and Mary Jane,I loved your husband and Dad. I will always remember him helping a young lady to become a young health care professional. I will always be grateful for his support of pharmacists. He was always ready with a quick smile and an encouraging word. Thoughts and prayers with your family.Denise Ellis Barker Farragut, Tennessee
Dear Betty, Kevin, Mary Jane, and family,Our hearts and minds swell with the memories of Jimmy. I remember him as a mentor, a trail blazer for pharmacy, a politically and professionally active pharmacist in pharmacy organizations at the local, state, and national levels, and most of all for being such a great friend. Jimmy was one of the first to step forward in supporting the Memphis Area Pharmacists Society at its inception. MAPS grew quickly and continues to be a mighty fortress on the Mississippi for all pharmacists. Who, but Jimmy, would dress up in a Super Man outfit on behalf of MAPS to welcome the Tennessee Pharmacists Association members to the next convention in Memphis!? Jimmy did not hesitate to participate in this skit (which was a real memory maker for all) and succeeded in making that convention a fun event.Jimmy McDonald was and always will be our Super Hero!.With much love and admiration to all the McDonalds in the memory of Jimmy as he passed to a heavenly place where all his good works on earth were known before he arrived. , Romeo and Dianne Duncan Knoxville, Tennessee
Betty and Kevin So sorry to hear of Your loss. Jimmy and I spent many hours together at pharmacy meetings. He was a special man and will be missed. I had spoken with Kevin a short time ago about his health.Buddy Branson
Uncle Bud:I sure am glad you were part of my life. I have alot of fond memories of you and will always cherish your smile and good humor. I was lucky to be blessed with Uncle Bud, Aunt Betty, and Cousin Kevin. Mom was so proud of her brother and so were all of his nephews. We all love you very much and will miss you. David Boggs
My sincere condolences to the McDonald Family. I have many fond memories of Jimmy (and Kevin & Betty), first at McDonalds Pharmacy in Parkway Village where our family “traded” and later at the Highland Heights Pharmacy. It was at McDonalds Pharmacy, when I was a soon-to-be graduating Memphis State student with uncertain plans for a job or career that I initially went and spoke to Jimmy and Kevin about the possibilities of a career in pharmacy. Jimmy was clearly very passionate about the profession, helping customers and patients I the community, and professionally active. Jimmy and Kevin hired me to work in their pharmacy, and with his encouragement, I applied and was admitted to the UT College of Pharmacy and graduated in 1990. I worked at the Highland Heights Pharmacy as a student and later on occasion as a pharmacist when I still lived in Memphis.Lots of memories from those times. Jimmy was small in stature but a big personality. He was great to interact with as a student because he let you know what you were training for in pharmacy was serious business yet he was always ready with a humorous observation or remark. I remember him asking me when I was then a pharmacy student “John- do you know the difference between Bachelor’s trained pharmacists and Pharm.D.s don’t ya?” I answered with a slow “noooo…” and he replied “Pharm.D.s count by 7s not 5s!”I always admired the McDonald’s small but close-knit family, he, Betty, and Kevin. I remember Jimmy talk proudly about his son “That ol’ Kev”, and later his daughter-in-law Mary Jane and grandchildren. My thoughts to you all today- all of you were always very kind to me.In any case, as I sit here and type this today from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL where I am now a tenured professor in the College of Pharmacy, I can say without a doubt, I would have never gone into pharmacy, and had the opportunity for a nice career and experiences I have had to date, had it not been for Jimmy and Kevin’s kindness, encouragement, and support.Thinking of you all today,John S. Markowitz, Gainesville, FL
McDonald Family, it is sad to know that Jimmy has passed away. I have very fond memories of knowing Jimmy during some of the most formative and exciting years of my career while attending UT, and working in Memphis. Without a doubt, Jimmy helped elevate the practice of pharmacy in all he did. He kept us accountable, motivated us and supported so many of the new practices and ideas we had. I appreciate too, how he led the profession in community practice, and how excited I was when Kevin started school and when he started his practice. Jimmy’s spirit, energy and sense of humor was always welcomed as we went about with the diligent work of practicing what we love. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you seek God’s peace. – Phil Johnston, Nashville
