Oscar McDonald

Oscar W. “Blackie” McDonald, 84, longtime resident of Oak Harbor, died at Whidbey General Hospital March 12, 2004.

Mr. McDonald was born in Leonard, Texas, Oct. 28, 1919, to Thomas Rudolph McDonald and Liza Jane (Lacy) McDonald. He graduated from high school in Klondike, Texas, and then entered the U.S. Navy Dec. 27, 1941. After 20 years of service to his country, he retired in 1961 as a chief petty officer. Following his retirement from the military, he was employed at Skagit Steel in Sedro-Woolley. Blackie then transitioned to the Fire Departmet at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and to the Calibration Lab at NAS Whidbey, from which he retired in 1978.

Blackie was a member of Whidby Island Lodge No. 15 F & AM, the Oak Harbor Elks No. 2362, the VFW Post No. 7392, the Fleet Reserve Association and the American Legion Post No. 129. He enjoyed bowling and also loved to work in his yard and garden on his 20 acres.

Blackie is survived by four nieces, Ella Merrill of Spokane, Lois Johnson of Colville, Judy Ackerman of San Jose, Calif., and Mickey LaVassar of Texas; also, numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife Edna, who died in 1973, and by three brothers and one sister.

A funeral service will be Saturday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret.) officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full military honors by NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. c/o Jo Balda, Treasurer, P.O. Box 345, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.