Paul David McDonald

Born October 23, 1982 in Memphis Tennessee to James and Elaine McDonald, passed away on December 3, 2014 in Chandler, Arizona at the age of 32. Paul grew up in Bartlett, Tennessee and was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended school at Immanuel Lutheran School. Paul moved with his family to a farm in Indiana owned by his mother’s parents in 1989. He spent three years in Indiana where he attended Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church-Bingen. In 1992 Paul and family moved to Tempe, Arizona where he attended public schools and graduated from Marco de Niza High School in 2001. After high school Paul began working at a Mexican Restaurant and moved out on his own.

Paul McDonald was a strong, loving, caring, fun, passionate, funny, honest, humble and hardworking man. After graduating from high school, Paul attended Mesa Community College while he also worked as an operations analyst at Wells Fargo. He spent 7 years working at a job he both loved and excelled at. During that time, Paul made countless trips to California to visit friends and go to Disneyland.

In February of 2009, Paul started a career at The University of Phoenix as a finance counselor. Paul was known as the “phone whisperer” because when he spoke with students, the tone of his voice would change, and those students knew that Paul was someone they could trust. Paul again performed above and beyond what was required, earning the respect of his coworkers and supervisors. Paul moved from the position of financial aid officer, to operations analyst, and then recently to roster analyst. In 2012, Paul graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations.

Paul and Suzi met while in high school. Prior to dating, they often spent time with Paul’s life-long friends, aka “the gang”. They officially became a couple in 2007.

Paul spent the majority of his free time with Suzi and the family, playing card/computer/video games with the gang, watching movies and television shows, cooking, hiking, discovering new restaurants, criticizing BBQ joints, and watching/attending sporting events. He had a passion for ASU football and the Phoenix Suns.

Paul was devoted and caring to all of those close to him. He was a kindly host, a master of the grill, a great collector of movies, a generous giver of gifts, and a good friend. Paul McDonald was loved by many and is missed dearly.

A remembrance ceremony will be held for Paul at 1:00 p.m. Saturday December 13, 2014 at the Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 2621 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona.

Preferred memorials are to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.