Francis R. MAC McDonald F.S.A. Scot, 93, of Laramie, died Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Life Care Center of Cheyenne. He was born on September 28, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to Raymond McDonald and Margaret Kennedy.

During WWII, he entered active duty in the United States Navy on January 19, 1942 in Philadelphia and was honorably discharged as an Aviation Radioman First Class, USNR November 17, 1945.

After college, Francis “Mac” began his career working for the Bureau of Mines doing work in Spectroscopy. He later went to work for the Department of Energy at the University of Wyoming. While working in his field of expertise, “Mac” had many papers published in many journals. He was very well respected by his colleagues.   He was very active and enjoyed doing many activities including flying, sailing, scuba diving, hiking, playing the bagpipes and Good Ham Radio, on the “Cowboy Network” all throughout the Rockies.  He was a member of the Laramie Lodge #3 A.F. & A.M.

Francis was preceded in death by his late wife, Jen Levine McDonald; parents; two granddaughters, Helen Michelle McDonald and Mary Rebecca McDonald Sommer; and two sisters, Marguerite McDonald Barnes and Mary McDonald Schaub.

“Mac” is survived by his son, Raymond Gerre McDonald and wife, Helen Marilyn; grandson, James A. McDonald and wife, Elizabeth Tettemer McDonald; great grandchildren, Derek and Erin McDonald, and Megan M. Sommer; niece Kathy Schaub; and his many other nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors that he was very grateful to have, especially Donna and Henry Aguilar.  Donna was his “right hand” for all his health problems to the end. “Angels do walk among us.”  Mac is now with Jen and his Siberian husky dogs, especially Buddy, whose ashes will go with Mac at his request. Mac’s love for Wyoming never wavered.  He said that it’s the place that he felt at home with the people of Wyoming and all of Wyoming’s nature.

Go Cowboys!

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Greenhill Cemetery with Masonic Rites by the Laramie Lodge #3 A.F.& A.M. and military rites by the United States Navy and the Laramie Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Francis R. McDonald Memorial Fund c/o Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.