James A. MacDonald

James passed away Friday, November 23, 2018 at HealthSource Saginaw at the age of 73 years. James was born in Bay City on July 17, 1945 to the late Harold and Elva (Ingram) MacDonald. He married the former Kathleen Barnett on December 21, 1968 in Bay City and were married for 49 years. James was a member of Kawkawlin Community Church and retired in 2004 after 41 ½ years from General Motors. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and did two tours in Vietnam. James loved his family especially his grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoyed working in his garage, being a car enthusiast and tae kwon do earning his third degree black belt. Through the years James also enjoyed volunteering at the church singing in the choir, coaching youth sports and playing the piano.
James is survived by his wife Kathy; daughter, Jennifer (Marcus) Hamilton; son, James (Rebecca) MacDonald; grandchildren, Spencer, Gavin, Keaton and Cooper Hamilton and Remmi and Noah MacDonald; brother, Jerry (Diane) MacDonald; brothers-in-law, William (Sherry) Barnett and Lindsey Spurlock; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by his sister, Nadine Slusser; brothers, Lennon and Paul Mac Donald; nephews, Brian, Nathaniel, Kenneth and Michael; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosalind (William) Clark, Janice Spurlock and Francis "Bud" Barnett and father and mother-in-law, Francis and Sophia Barnett.
Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Kawkawlin Community Church with Rev. Charles Campbell officiating. Committal will follow with military graveside service under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. MacDonald will be taken to the church to lie in state on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Association or Kawkawlin Community Church. For online condolences www.GephartFuneralHome.com