Mike Mcdonald

Charlottesville, VA, Mike McDonald passed away on Monday, July 30, 2018.

In failing health for several years, he made the tough choice to leave his beloved home in Waynesville, North Carolina, to be near family in the Charlottesville area. He was born March 1, 1944 to Jaunice Barnes Sawyer, in Albany, Missouri and lived in Missouri, then Texas, where he graduated High School in 1962. Preceding him in death were his father, Claude McDonald; and his wife, Barbara (Belch) McDonald, and step-mother Marian Lane McDonald.

Mike proudly served in the United States Army, during the Vietnam era. Prior to his marriage to Barbara, he lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was an emergency room nurse for 20 years. Among his hobbies during his time there were (award-winning) photography, videographer, re-enactment activities with a Mountain Man group, writing and extensive traveling. Mike wrote the book The Quiz of Enchantment, featuring facts about the state he loved so well.

After his marriage to Barbara he moved to New York City, where he listed with a talent agency and worked as an extra in movies and television. He continued to pursue his interests in photography, videographer music and travel. He and Barbara had many adventures, traveling together in America and abroad. Most recently he embraced the community of Waynesville, North Carolina, where he and Barbara located upon their retirement, and participated in the Old Mill restoration, as well as many other community service projects. An accomplished musician and musicologist, he was a member of the Haywood Municipal Band and penned a composition for that group. For all of his accomplishments and contributions, Mike will be remembered for his unending curiosity and intellect; and his kind and loving nature to all-friends and family alike.

Mike is survived by his mother, Jaunice Sawyer; brother, Jeffrey McDonald (Nancy) and William Guthrie (Trish); sisters, Jodi McDonald (Billy) and Janis Guthrie; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews round out his extensive and loving family.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Wells Events & Reception Center in Waynesville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends following the service.

Mike gave to the Civil War Trust and local historical foundations and the David Westphall Veterans Foundation in Angel Fire, New Mexico.

The care of Mike has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com

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