James Joseph McDonald Sr.

James Joseph McDonald, Sr., 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 16, 2021. After a courageous battle with cancer, he passed into eternal rest in his home surrounded by his devoted family. He is preceded in death by his parents, John G. and Helen F. McDonald, three brothers and two sisters; his loving wife of 56 years, Dorothy Hunt McDonald; grandson, Kevin Chai and Baby Martin.

Born in Newport News, VA in 1938, he graduated from Newport News High School with the class of 1957. He went on to serve in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves for 23 years and then worked for the US Department of Defense as a Procurement Analyst before retiring in 2001.

A kind and gentle man, James was unfaltering in his devotion to his family. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Dorothy McClellan (Glenn), Melissa Chai (Duke) and James McDonald, Jr.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Heishman (Adam), Kerstin Martin (Michael), Eric Chai, Tyler McClellan, Adam Chai, Ian Chai, Connor McDonald and Katie McDonald; great great-grandchildren, Allison Heishman, Mackenzie Heishman and Elijah Martin; sister, Julia Robinette; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 5-7pm at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. The service will be Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Nelsen Funeral Home beginning at 11am with the entombment to follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the McDonald family.