Joseph Graham “Joe” MacDonald, husband of late wife Liz, father to Meghan and Erin, and beloved member of the Knoxville community, entered eternal life on April 9 following a series of health challenges.
Mr. MacDonald, powered by his faith, his love for his family, and his dedication to golf, died the week of his favorite golf tournament, the Masters. Born in Knoxville in 1951, he was the third of Sam and Esther MacDonald’s 10 children. Growing up, Mr. MacDonald spent summers fishing and exploring with his relatives in Anderson, S.C.
Mr. MacDonald graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School, a MacDonald tradition, and the University of Tennessee.
He was a teacher and advocate for the Roman Catholic faith, in which he served for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where fellow parishioners could always count on his full-throated hymn-singing and boisterous “Amens” during Sunday Masses. In the same fashion, Mr. MacDonald will always be cherished for his penchant for MacDonald storytelling, often with colorful language and interlaced with frequent proselytizing out of his passionate love for others.
One thing that Mr. MacDonald never met was a stranger. Many called him a “roamer” of the earth. From visiting the sacred sights across the Holy Land to spontaneous trips to Florida, Mr. MacDonald moved each person he encountered. Those who know him well will specifically miss his warm bear-hug embraces and his generosity.
Mr. MacDonald always had an extra dollar, meal, or room to stay in. He was always the first to call on a friend or family member in need. He displayed this by giving back to his community through volunteer efforts, monthly donations, and partnering with charitable institutions. Mr. MacDonald was a staple volunteer for the Knights of Columbus. He truly had a servant’s heart and wove it into his professional and personal life.
Mr. MacDonald’s heart extended into community development for Knoxville, his beloved home. Through his career inspecting and building houses for low-income families, he served as an advocate for safer, better living. Like his father, Mr. MacDonald cherished his own basement of farm-auction finds, National Geographics, boat motors, a hovercraft, and the occasional classic car. Every day was truly an adventure by Mr. MacDonald’s side. To know Mr. MacDonald was to love and be loved by him. Whether you knew him as “Daddy,” “Uncle Joe,” “Joeby,” or just “Joe,” he will most certainly be missed and never forgotten.
Mr. MacDonald is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Elders; parents, Sam and Esther MacDonald; his sister, Anna McNair; and his brother, John. Joe is survived by his daughters, Meghan MacDonald and Erin Barletta; grandson Michael; and his siblings, Jim, Jeff, Danny, Liz Horton, Phillip, Claire Hyrka, and Susan Wyatt; and many nieces and nephews. Donations can be made in Mr. MacDonald’s memory to the Knoxville Knights of Columbus Emergency Fund, Smile Train, and Covenant House.
A funeral Mass for Mr. MacDonald was celebrated on April 16 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with Father David Boettner serving as the celebrant and Father Martin Gladysz serving as the concelebrant. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville.
