The Honorable John James
McDonald
August 25, 1939 - August 8, 2019
Born in New Philadelphia, PA
Resided in Southeastern Michigan
HON. JOHN J. (JACK) MCDONALD
Jack McDonald was born on August 25, 1939 in New Philadelphia, PA a small coal-mining town in eastern Pennsylvania. His mother, Alice Fogerty was a factory worker and his father James McDonald was a coal miner and later a gas station owner. Jack came to the University of Detroit on a football scholarship and studied history. While attending U of D, Jack joined the Magi fraternity, met many life-long friends and the love of his life, Sharon Persia.
Jack graduated from U of D in 1961 and married Sharon in 1962. He began his career teaching in the Detroit Public Schools. Jack then decided to attend law school and went to the Detroit College of Law at night while working fulltime as a salesman for General Tire. Jack graduated from DCL in 1970 and began working for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. After leaving the prosecutor’s office, Jack began a successful private law partnership in Farmington Hills.
Jack was a public servant. He successfully ran for Oakland County Commissioner - Farmington Hills in 1974. He served as a commissioner until 1988 and chaired many committees throughout his tenure. He unsuccessfully ran for Oakland County Prosecutor in 1998 and 47th District Court judge in 1992. Though disappointed in his losses he wanted to serve the public and was ultimately appointed to the Oakland County Circuit Court in 1993. It was a position he was made for. Jack served on the bench until 2010. Not ready to retire, he continued to serve as a mediator and visiting judge in various courts.
Despite a very distinguished career, most important to Jack was his faith and his family. He was married to Sharon for 53 years at the time of her death in 2015. Together they raised three children, Michael, Julie and Patrick John (P.J.). Jack adored his grandchildren Sam, Joe and Sally Wardlow.
He married again in 2016 to Joan Strauss. Jack and Joan knew each other in high school and Joan brought much comfort and joy to Jack during the last three years.
Jack was the brother to Sgt. Maj. James (Judy), Gerald (Nancy), and Anne (Bill) Boyle. Jack was the brother in-law to Chris and Marti Covert. Uncle Jackie, as he was referred to by many nieces and nephews, was truly a family man.
Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, Tuesday, August 13, 2019 from 1-8 PM.
Funeral Mass Wednesday, August 14, 2019 12:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23815 Power Road, Farmington. Visitation at church begins at 11:30 AM.
Rite of Committal at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jack McDonald was born on August 25, 1939 in New Philadelphia, PA a small coal-mining town in eastern Pennsylvania. His mother, Alice Fogerty was a factory worker and his father James McDonald was a coal miner and later a gas station owner. Jack came to the University of Detroit on a football scholarship and studied history. While attending U of D, Jack joined the Magi fraternity, met many life-long friends and the love of his life, Sharon Persia.
Jack graduated from U of D in 1961 and married Sharon in 1962. He began his career teaching in the Detroit Public Schools. Jack then decided to attend law school and went to the Detroit College of Law at night while working fulltime as a salesman for General Tire. Jack graduated from DCL in 1970 and began working for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. After leaving the prosecutor’s office, Jack began a successful private law partnership in Farmington Hills.
Jack was a public servant. He successfully ran for Oakland County Commissioner - Farmington Hills in 1974. He served as a commissioner until 1988 and chaired many committees throughout his tenure. He unsuccessfully ran for Oakland County Prosecutor in 1998 and 47th District Court judge in 1992. Though disappointed in his losses he wanted to serve the public and was ultimately appointed to the Oakland County Circuit Court in 1993. It was a position he was made for. Jack served on the bench until 2010. Not ready to retire, he continued to serve as a mediator and visiting judge in various courts.
Despite a very distinguished career, most important to Jack was his faith and his family. He was married to Sharon for 53 years at the time of her death in 2015. Together they raised three children, Michael, Julie and Patrick John (P.J.). Jack adored his grandchildren Sam, Joe and Sally Wardlow.
He married again in 2016 to Joan Strauss. Jack and Joan knew each other in high school and Joan brought much comfort and joy to Jack during the last three years.
Jack was the brother to Sgt. Maj. James (Judy), Gerald (Nancy), and Anne (Bill) Boyle. Jack was the brother in-law to Chris and Marti Covert. Uncle Jackie, as he was referred to by many nieces and nephews, was truly a family man.
Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, Tuesday, August 13, 2019 from 1-8 PM.
Funeral Mass Wednesday, August 14, 2019 12:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23815 Power Road, Farmington. Visitation at church begins at 11:30 AM.
Rite of Committal at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Visitation
A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)
32515 Woodward Ave (btwn 13-14 Mile)
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Funeral Mass
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
23815 Powers Road
Farmington, MI US 48336
Farmington, MI US 48336
Instate 11:30 AM
- Show more -
American Cancer Society - MI
20450 Civic Center Dr.
Southfield, MI 48076
Southfield, MI 48076
At the American Cancer Society, we're on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we'll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.
