Jeffrey Allen MacDonald, 71, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on March 12. He was the father of three, grandfather to 10, Uncle Jeffy to many nieces and nephews, and father figure to countless others.
Mr. MacDonald attended St. Mary School, and then was a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School, class of 1973. He worked as a conductor for Norfolk Southern Railroad until his retirement.
Mr. MacDonald grew up in East Knoxville along with his nine other siblings and loving parents, Sam and Esther MacDonald. Being No. 5 of 10 of the MacDonald clan, Mr. MacDonald quickly learned how to go with the flow, a skill that he mastered and carried with him throughout his years.
A staple in Mr. MacDonald’s life was going to the MacDonald family cabin on Norris Lake, a place he loved and cared for dearly. He eventually took on the roles of head breakfast chef, dedicated groundskeeper, and ultimate snake spotter. Despite all his assumed cabin roles, he still found time to float for hours.
His greatest achievements though, and greatest joy, were his children with his former wife, Suzy: Aaron, Drew, and Alex, and later his 10 grandchildren.
In his retirement years, Mr. MacDonald became a full-time babysitter for his four local grandchildren and had a near-perfect resume—always available, free…and he rarely followed the rules. The grandkids learned to love “Bonanza,” regular trips for milkshakes, and occasional water-balloon fights.
Among Mr. MacDonald’s many gifts, quite possibly the greatest of all, was his storytelling. You may not have always believed his stories, but that wouldn’t stop anyone from listening, and by the end, he’d have you somewhat convinced it was true. He was a man of many tales that usually began with “Y’all, it was unbelievable!” and classic Jeffy one-liners like “The only way to listen to the Stones is all the way up.”
To know Mr. MacDonald was to love him. He had a knack for noticing the beauty in everyday life, whether it be a bald-eagle sighting on the cabin dock or meeting his new best friend in the grocery store parking lot. He was always looking up and out, and his love and care for others were infectious. He was always the first (and last) on the dance floor with a head full of hair you couldn’t mistake and a laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along with.
His love for his family was profound, and it showed. Once you entered Mr. MacDonald’s world, he made you a part of it forever (just ask Suzy and Kim—his former spouses with whom he still had loving friendships.)
He was truly a one-of-a-kind human, and the mark he left is as unique as it is indelible. His legacy is his heart of gold, which he shared so generously with all he encountered.
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do for any human being, let me do it now”
Mr. MacDonald is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Anna, Joe, and John, his beloved son, Aaron, and his grandson, Zane. He is survived by his two children: Drew and his wife, Courtney, Alex and her husband, Rich; Aaron’s wife, Stefanie; and his grandchildren, Abby, Capers, Juni Belle, Joey, Lucy, Penelope, Oliver, Sage, and Olivia.
A funeral Mass for Mr. MacDonald was held on March 23 at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville.