Thomas Timothy McDonald, 94 of Alliance, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 peacefully at the Hemingford Community Care Center.
Tom was born in Alliance on February 8, 1930 to Timothy and Esther (Nation) McDonald. He was the 3rd of 10 children. He attended rural schools and graduated from Alliance High School.
After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 5, 1948. During his military service he acquired the rank of Gunners Mate, 2nd Class E-5. He was awarded medals for Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct and Navy Occupation. He was honorably discharged on October 29, 1942.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy Tom met Betty Koozer and they were married on February 12, 1953. The two were lifelong residents of Alliance where they raised their 5 boys. When he was younger Tom and his brother, George worked for the Everett Eldred Ranch. After his Navy service he worked for the City of Alliance in the power plant and farmed north of Alliance while also pursuing his passion for raising race horses. He was a man of many talents and he was also a Golden Glove Boxer back in the day.
He is survived by his children, Jim (Helen) McDonald, Bill (Becky) McDonald, Ed (Sue) McDonald, Don (Pam) McDonald and Bob (Kathy) McDonald. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrea McDonald, Alicia (Jayson) Keller, Alaina (Brandon) Schaneman, Logan McDonald (KayLynn Cate), Barry McDonald, Cassie McDonald, Chris McDonald (Shaina Stricker), Jacob (Brittany) McDonald, Miranda (Ethan) Allen, T.J. McDonald, Jake (Hailey) McDonald, Jess McDonald (Kaylei Kemper), and his great-grandchildren, Hayden McDonald, Ryker Schaneman, Aiden McDonald, Hunter McDonald, Jaxon McDonald, Zane Keller, Chase Keller, Charlotte McDonald and Eliza McDonald. Surviving also are his siblings, Esther (Arnold) Rogers, Jerry McDonald, Elaine Heisey, Helen White, Kathy Keaton, numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Betty on December 30, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Tim and Esther McDonald, an infant brother, James Robert McDonald, also brothers, Francis (Ione) McDonald, George (Dorothy) McDonald, his sister, Sharon Stark, father and mother-in-law, Railey and Mary Koozer, in-laws, Jack (Leota) Lawler, Wilber (Jean) Seidler, George Sulzbach, Bonnie and Marty McLaughlin, Don Fanning, Kenny White and Joe Keaton
A combined memorial service for Tom and Betty will be Friday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Father Mike McDonald will officiate and interment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.