Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Daddy Dearest


O. Henry McDonald , Virginia Beach

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008
©The Virginian-Pilot
O. Henry McDonald passed away Jan. 19, 2008. He was 67. Predeceased by his parents, Lucille Totty and Joe McDonald, his memory is left to cherish by wife, Babs McDonald; his five children, Angie McDonald, Jody McDonald, Ron Rucker, Rachel McDonald-Schneider and Michael McDonald; their spouses, Michele Rucker, Gregory Schneider and Julie McDonald; three grandchildren; brothers, Randy Rawiszer and John McDonald; sister, Beth Rawiszer; and 13 nieces and nephews. Henry grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn. A graduate of McCallie High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Henry excelled as a star wrestler and track athlete at both. He spent 15 years in Texas and moved to Hampton Roads in 1994. He devoted his life as a longtime and active member of the Kingwood Church of Christ in Kingwood, Texas, Providence Road Church of Christ in Chesapeake and Bayside Church of Christ in Virginia Beach. For more than 20 years, Henry worked as a legal administrator. Above all, Henry loved God and his family. After the death of wife, Denise Hix, in 1983 and with the marriage of Babs Rucker in 1984, Henry united the McDonald and Rucker families into one. A natural inspiration whose intellect and wit knew no bounds, Henry fostered the ambitions of his children - from college professor to youth minister to financial expert to special educator to mechanical engineer - this is only an immediate list. Henry privileged his heart to all. And this was the biggest heart any of us will ever know. We’ve been blessed by such a man. Friends and family are welcome to a viewing at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home on Independence Boulevard from 4 to 7 p.m. today and also welcome to attend the memorial service in Bayside Church of Christ, Virginia Beach, at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Flowers may be sent or donations made to the World Bible Translation Center at www.wbtc.com or 1-888-542-4253. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

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