Ed F. McDonald, III

Edward F. McDonald, III passed away peacefully on February 16, 2024, at the age of 84 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born on June 24, 1939, he was the son of Edward and Wanda McDonald.  Ed received his B.A. degree from Ouachita Baptist University and his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky.  For 34 years, Ed dedicated his life to serving as a chaplain for Baptist Medical Center, where he provided comfort and support to countless patients, their families, and employees.  He was widely respected for his leadership as the head of Pastoral Care at the medical center.  Ed welcomed all and was accepting of all denominations.  

Ed's caring nature extended beyond his professional life.  Ed was married to Patricia Smith McDonald for 47 years.  He was an incredibly devoted husband and loved her well until she succumbed to cancer.  Ed remarried in 2010 to Suzanne Smith McDonald.  He devoted countless hours alongside his wife, Suzanne, as a Facilitator of Grief Share, lending a helping hand and caring heart to those wading through the waters of grief and mourning. He found joy in so many hobbies and interests including gardening, photography, traveling, and being a member of the Monarch Watch Program. 

Ed, known as “Daddy Mc” to all those close to him, selflessly loved, adopted, and served everyone that was fortunate enough to come into his life.  He was an excellent listener, counselor, and friend.  Daddy Mc had an uncanny ability to meet you wherever you were in your life and minister to your needs.  He was a master of the “dad joke” but may have been known to have a few of them on repeat.  Everyone knew when he was at the grandkids’ sporting events when they heard the loud, and we do mean LOUD, and unmistakable Daddy Mc “Whoot! Whoot!”  He also famously taught one of them an amazingly loud “cluck” at a very young age. He could catch anyone’s attention and laugh with his Donald Duck voice.  His children and grandchildren were greatly blessed to grow up with this wonderful example of God's grace and humility.  He loved his family and friends unconditionally and served the Lord well!  

Ed is survived by his wife, Suzanne Smith McDonald; son, Stephen McDonald (Sandy); daughter, Judy Wingfield (Jeff), stepson-in-law Van Tilbury (Elizabeth); grandchildren, William McDonald, Clayton McDonald, RJ Coleman, Jake Wingfield, Emily Tilbury, Liz Tilbury, Eleanor Tilbury, and Henry Tilbury; sister, Marty Davis, sister-in-law Ruth Smith Johnson (Francis), brothers-in-law Tom Smith (Margarette), Bill Smith (Judy); and other extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Patricia Smith McDonald.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Shell Alzheimer’s Unit and Baptist Hospice Care for their love and support. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christie’s Corner at Arkansas Hospice: https://www.arkansashospice.org/foundation/donate, or Monarch Watch: monarchwatch.org, or a charity of your choosing.  

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024 with visitation to follow at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 8300 Kanis Road, Little Rock.