Jerry Edward McDonald, 87, passed away at 12:19 am on March 3, 2021, at Daviess Community Hospital. Born March 27, 1934, in the house of his grandparents Norman and Grace McDonald in the Maysville area west of Washington, IN. His parents were James E. and Mary O. (Juanita) (Carrico) McDonald both deceased. He had one brother Jackie L. (Clara Ann (Pat) McDonald of Washington, who preceded him in death. He also had several nieces and nephews.
Jerry spent the first years of his life in the log cabin located at the bottom of the hill located on the farm of his grandparents. Jerry started school at Southside grade school, and later transferred to Jefferson grade school. He graduated from Washington High School. He then attended Indiana University and came back to Washington and worked for Washington Motor Co., until his father purchased the Chevrolet dealership and changed the name to McDonald Chevrolet Inc. in 1955.
On June 22, 1956, he married Sharon Lee (Clark) McDonald who preceded him in death, and they were married for over fifty years. Together they had two children, Jeffrey E. McDonald and Janis McDonald who both live in Washington and three grandchildren, Joel E. McDonald, Courtney (Riffey) Hand, and Larren W. McDonald, one great granddaughter, Hadlee Hand and one great grandson Leelen Hand all of Washington.
Jerry and Sharon were very involved in their grandchildren’s lives and sporting activities. Jerry served six years in the military and reserves and attended several General Motors training schools and was also a graduate of the General Motors Dealer Sons School of Modern Management in Detroit, Michigan. He served two terms as a Director for the Indiana Automobile Dealers association. He was one of the original founding members of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. he was one of the founding members of the Washington Automobile Dealers Association. Jerry was in the automobile business for fifty years and closed his dealership in 2008. The dealership was honored with the Half Century award by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005. After retirement Jerry became very involved in volunteer work with the Daviess Community Hospital Auxiliary where he was a lifetime member and served as Auxiliary Chaplin, Vice President and President. He also volunteered with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Feed My Sheep food distribution program, Daviess County Historical Society, and his church Christ United Methodist Church. Jerry was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #30 for over sixty-five years and a member of the Elks Lodges for over fifty years, and an honored Kentucky Colonel.
Friends may visit with Jerry’s family from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State St., Washington, IN. Jerry’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Christ United Methodist Church, 104 N. Meridian St., Washington, IN 47501 with visitation being held from 10:00 am until the service time. Steve Dayton and Pastor Jerald Turner will officiate, and Jerry will be entombed in Sugarland Memory Gardens. The McDonald family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Daviess Community Hospital Auxiliary or Feed My Sheep. Online memories may be sent to Jerry’s family and friends at www.goodwinsievers.com.
