Michael F. "Mike" McDonald died Thursday, September 15, 2022 in Baton Rouge, surrounded by family members. He was born February 24, 1933, in Lexington, MO, graduated from Immaculate Conception Elementary School, was an altar boy and received the Ad Atare Dei medal. He was a Boy Scout attaining Eagle Scout rank, graduating from Lexington High with mathematics honors. He was a member of the Roses quartet along with Larry Marcks, Kent Hicklin and Jack Gueguen receiving a medal at the University of Missouri. He completed the first year of college at Wentworth Military Academy and was second in scholarship with membership in Phi Theta Kappa. He completed the next three years of college at the University of Missouri, receiving a BS in Chemical Engineering. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi and Pi Mu Epsilon; he served as secretary, vice president and president of Alpha Chi Sigma. While working as a young chemical engineer at Esso Standard Oil, he met and began dating Roberta "Bobbie" Nesbit in June, 1954. They were married December 28, 1954, a union that lasted for more than 55 years. Mike was a chemical Engineer at Exxon for 39 years, receiving four patents. He volunteered for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Melrose Civic Association (secretary and president), Tara Civic Association (president for over 11 years), St. Vincent de Paul, Mary Bird Perkins and Our Lady of Mercy Church. He was also a member and president of the Exxon Fleur de Lis retirees club and was a member and president of the MB55 retirees club. He was a generous donor to many charities and educational foundations including LSU professorships, scholarships, hotel, museum and alumni center. Mike traveled to all 50 states, he and Bobbie traveled to most European countries. He was an avid baseball fan especially of the St. Louis Cardinals and the LSU Tigers. He was preceded in death by his parents Michael McDonald and Jessie Beullens of Lexington, MO, his wife Roberta Nesbit McDonald, and his son-in-law Keith Giurintano. He is survived by children Catherine McDonald Dardenne, Carol McDonald Giurintano and Michael F. McDonald, Jr., son-in-law Jay Dardenne and daughter-in-law JoAnn McDonald, grandchildren John and Matthew Dardenne, Scott Giurintano, Kelley McDonald, Andrea McDonald Ocmond, and Theresa McDonald, great-grandchildren, Alexander, Patrick, and Gabrielle Ocmond, Bailey and Landon Frazier, Logan, Andrew, and Megan Giurintano, sister-in-law, Juanita Nesbit Metz, nieces Mary Sue Metz Dornier and Elizabeth Metz Demars. Visitation at St. George Catholic Church on Monday, September 19, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., celebrated by Father Paul Yi, Pastor of St. George Catholic Church, followed by interment in Roselawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John and Matthew Dardenne, Scott Giurintano, Cullen Ocmond, Alex and Patrick Ocmond, Rene Dornier, and Tom Demars. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Board of the Tara Civic Association. Arrangements are being handled by Rabenhorst, 825 Government Street. Thanks to the incredible Sunrise Assisted Living team members, nurses, and support staff for their love, support, and prayers.
