Robert M. McDonald

Born February 10, 1917, to parents Robert M. McDonald Sr. and Mary Frances Watson in the Panama Canal Zone. Preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Evelyn, and brother, John, and wife Grace Kellner. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Melissa Holben and husband Jim, grandson Spence Holben, granddaughter Shannon Keel (Jeff), beloved step-son Richard Coleman and daughter-in-law (Katherine), grand-daughters Kari Larsen, Connie Edge (Jay), and Kelly O’Loughlin. Bob also has 7 great-grandchildren, Amber Sandland (Teddy), Morgan Garrity, Cody O’Loughlin (Nicole), Molly O’Loughlin, Kirby O’Loughlin, Christa Larsen, and Olivia Larsen. He also blessed with 6 great-great grand-children, Myna Sandland, Brianna Sandland, Reagan Sandland, Sadie Sandland, Natalie Harkness, and Brett Ford. He is survived by his nephew, Don Fone (Evelyn), sister-in-law, Rudy Miller, sister-in-law, Major Virginia Kellner, Salvation Army, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Commissioners Paul and Jujuan Kellner, Salvation Army, brother-in-law, Major Cecil Sellers, Salvation Army, and many more nieces and nephews. He had many friends on his home street on Northrop Terrace in Tampa, FL who were like family to him. All of whom he knew and loved so dearly.

On September 2, 2019, Labor Day, “Grandpa Bob” passed away at 7:45 pm at 102 years old. He went peacefully into the arms of the Father. He was a good man and a grateful man. He never spoke a harsh word. He was a man of peace and of comfort. He appreciated everything in life. He was a generous man. He loved Jesus, his family, his music and his clarinet. He was an avid life-long amateur ham operator and his call sign is W4YDI. He prayed to God daily and gave thanks for even the smallest bite of food. He didn’t hold grudges and was never resentful. He had some regrets, as we all do, but he was very thankful for everyone and everything, no matter what the circumstances.

Bob and Grace were a founding member of Idlewild Baptist Church. Bob played his clarinet in the orchestra until his mid 90’s. He was a 70 plus year member of the IBEW. Bob was a 50-year life member in good standing of the John Darling Masonic Lodge no. 154. He was a supporter of the Shriner’s Burn Hospital for Children, St. Jude’s Hospital, and The Salvation Army (where he met his 2nd wife Grace Kellner). “Gracie,” Richard’s mother, preceded Bob in death and we are sure she had a pineapple upsidedown cake waiting for him upon his arrival in Heaven! They were married for 42 years.

For those who knew Bob, you know that he was an electrician by trade and a musician by choice. At age 16 he became an “electrician’s helper,”attended Brewster Vocational School and then went on to become a Journeyman Electrician. He worked for Monroe Electric, Tampa Ship Repair, Atlantic Coastline Railroad, and Florida Portland Cement, where he spent 25 years working as a Master Electrician and Supervisor.

As a young boy, Bob taught himself to play the clarinet which he grew to love very much. He joined his first band when he was only 11 yrs old! It was called the Cristobal Boys Band in the Panama Canal Zone. He shared fond memories of the Canal Zone days with people all of the time. He remembered it well, it was a happy place for him, and he was able to visit his birthplace on several occasions in ensuing years. As an adult, he later joined the Shriner’s Band, the Salvation Army Band, the Moose Club Band, a Dixieland Band, the Idlewild Church Orchestra, the Carrollwood Winds Band, the New Horizon’s Band, and probably more that we don’t know about. All in all, Bob played his clarinet for over 80 years. He even played at his 100 yr birthday party!

There are so many fond memories we can share and we will surely miss “Robert, Bob, Grandpa, Gramps, Mac.” But, we know that he is where he was promised to be, with the Lord. Now he is playing in the best band ever! God’s Band. Where he is walking on streets paved with gold, living in a new body and in a new house, where the sound of Heaven is always on his heart and forever in his mind. Where the angels sing Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. This is what he wanted. This is what he expected. This is where he is. For God’s promise, to those who believe, is “yes, and in Him, Amen.” Halleluiah!

To God be the Glory forever.

If you would like, and In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to one of the following organizations that were near and dear to Bob’s heart. They are:

www.salvationarmy.org

www.stjude.org

www.instruments4life.com

https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/pediatric-burns