Dr. John Henry McDonald III Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Dr. John Henry McDonald III, 80, passed from this life on December 12th 2016. Born November 24th 1936 to John Henry McDonald II and Mae Sundberg in Hollywood CA. Spending his childhood years in California, he fondly recalled the time he spent with his younger brother Clint going to the movies and eating figs from the tree until they were sick. The family later re-located to Golden Colorado. Due to a serious asthma condition he had to stay behind living for several years with his grandparents Clinton and Mary Sundberg. He recalled this period of his life with great love for his grandparents. In 1970 he gave a copy of his doctoral thesis to his grandmother, inscribing the front cover saying "Dear Grandma Sundberg, whatever good things I accomplish in life is due in large part to the influence that you and grandpa have had on me. Love John, Sept 1970". When John was in the seventh grade the family re-located to Idaho Falls, ID where John grew into a young man. His mother Mae doted over him, saying he was the most attentive and loving son a mother could ask for. His father John was often away working to support his family. His little sister Suzanne recalled she didn't know "Johnny" was not her dad until she was eight. John attended Idaho Falls High School where he played football and graduated in 1955. It was here he met a beautiful young woman who had re-located from Salt Lake City with her family. Her name was Sue. The two began a relationship which would span the next sixty two years. After high school graduation John moved to Moscow Idaho where he attended the University of Idaho. Sue had moved back to Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School in 1956. Longing to be together John and Sue were married in Salt Lake City on June 14th 1957. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 14th 1962. They began their life together in Moscow Idaho. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Idaho in 1959. Mom and Dad moved to Salt Lake City where John worked at LDS hospital and received a Medical Technologist certificate from the University of Utah. An eternal student, John continued his education graduating from the University Of Utah College Of Law in 1964 with a Juris Doctor and then graduating from the University Of Utah School Of Medicine with a PhD in Pathophysiology/Immunology in 1970. John joined the staff at Cottonwood Hospital in Murray, UT during his training eventually serving as Chief Biochemist. Dr. McDonald later joined the faculty at Weber State University as Professor and Chairman of Allied Health Sciences. Dr. McDonald was responsible for petitioning the United States Congress and establishing the Nursing and EMT programs which he oversaw through his tenure at Weber State. After his service at Weber State University, Dr. McDonald had a renewed interest in the law. He opened a successful law practice where he practiced personal injury and mal-practice law throughout most of the 1980's. During this same time Dr. McDonald was appointed Chairman of Planning and Zoning in Murray, a growing city without a valid master plan. Over the course of several years Dr. McDonald drafted, passed through council and implemented the master plan still in use today in Murray City. In 1990 Dr. McDonald, with his wealth of knowledge in medicine, immunology, pathophysiology and bio-chemistry was recruited into a start-up health sciences company. He was left to himself as the soul employee. His assignment was to research, formulate, develop and eventually manufacture a set of nutritional products that would improve lives. Embarking on a two year journey Dr. McDonald formulated some of the finest health products that have effected innumerable lives throughout the world. In 1992 the company was officially launched as USANA Health Sciences. In the early years of USANA Dr. McDonald would oversee nearly every aspect of the scientific process including manufacturing and quality control. Dr. McDonald would work for USANA as Senior Scientist until his retirement three years ago. Dr. McDonald was a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. True to his lifelong pursuit of knowledge he was a scholar of the scriptures. As a gospel doctrine teacher of many years he was never afraid to challenge the traditional religious wisdom, while always testifying to the atoning sacrifice of his savior Jesus Christ. He skillfully and rationally argued throughout his life that science and the belief in the spiritual coexist in perfect harmony with one another. Dr. McDonald's influence reached countless people. With a complete medical and law library tucked neatly in his head, friends and acquaintances sought him out to ask his advice. His knowledge was given freely to all. The kid's friends would come seeking help with homework or the late evening calls from one of his grandchildren struggling with a math equation, or neighbor seeking advice with a legal matter or emergent medical situation. Each of us can remember a time when a friend said "your dad is the smartest person I have ever met". His patience with homework help rivaled that of Job with all except his own children who he could just not possibly understand how we could not have a total grasp on the sacred principles of Organic Chemistry. We will all remember the avid reader of every subject conceivable. Reading an average of one to two books per week he amassed a library of over four thousand books. He once said he read them all once, most twice and many three or more times. You could randomly pull a book from the library and he could tell you the contents of the book with detail. In the last year, with the exception of a few treasures he was glad to donate the entire library to Murray High School. A father of nine, grandfather of 25 and great grandfather of 10, Dr. McDonald was the most kind, loving attentive father one could ask for. Selfless may be the most fitting word to describe the husband and father who touched so many lives. His mark has been left on the world in professional life as well as through his posterity. The memory of him sitting in his reading spot with head in a book, looking over his glasses while carrying on conversation is burned into our memories. His children will forever remember laying in the bed between mom and dad next to a mountain of man in the embrace of his huge gentle hands as the safest place on earth. We love you dad. Dr. McDonald is survived by his wife Sharon Suzanne Allred (Sue), six children Michelle McCutcheon (Steve), Spencer McDonald (Jackie), Lance McDonald (Nika), Tara Allein (Mike), Camille Rubsamen (Dean), Nathan McDonald (Kimberly), 25 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, brother Clinton McDonald (Nancy), two sisters, Patricia Walters, Suzanne Preussner (Doug). Dr. McDonald was preceded in death by his parents John Henry McDonald II and Mae Sundberg, three children, Lisa McDonald, John Henry McDonald IV, Sean Christian McDonald. A public viewing will be held on Sunday, December 18th at Jenkins Soffe Mortuary 4760 S State St, Murray, UT between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00P.M. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 19th 2016, at Murray 1st Ward, 755 E Three Fountains Cir, Murray, UT with a viewing between 9:45 A.M. and 10:45 A.M. Services will begin at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be at Murray City Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT 84107