WEST FARGO — Every once in a while,
a local obituary
catches your attention.
That’s just what happened when “Red” McDonald of West Fargo died.
Born Ronald McDonald, “Red” loved his service to country, his family, golf and hockey. After all, he was born in Canada.
Red, as his friends and family called him, lived to golf. And that is where he spent his final moments.
When Ronald McDonald joined the Navy in 1969, he was just 19.
“He was very proud of his service,” said Elaine McDonald, Red’s wife.
A Canadian citizen sent to Vietnam, serving in the U.S. military
“The USS Conserver, that is what he was on. His ship,” Elaine said, pointing to an old photo.
Ronald “Red” McDonald of West Fargo served aboard the USS Conserver during Vietnam.
Contributed / McDonald Family
“I always called him my hero. My veteran hero,” said Arissa McDonald, Red’s daughter.
He would return home to North Dakota and wouldn’t you know it … “He was dragging Main in his new Nova he got when he got out of the service,” Elaine said. That caught her eye. “This Nova was blue with a black top, wide tires with a shifter on the floor,” she said.
While his name was Ronald McDonald, everyone knew him as “Red.”
The nickname was necessary. The family withstood all sorts of pranks and practical jokes, with the name Ronald McDonald in the phone book.
“People would call us and ask for a cheeseburger or a Happy Meal, we would joke around with them,” said Corey McDonald, Red’s son.
Even Christmas got tricky.
“Grandma sent us Christmas gifts in the mail but the package said ‘The McDonalds’ and so they went to the McDonald’s restaurant instead where they opened them up and found our names on the packages,” Corey said.
But Red’s love was hockey and the links.
“He would always come home from golf and say, ‘I golfed my age today,'” said Elaine.
He really loved the game of golf.
Ronald “Red” McDonald, left, loved golf and spent his final moments playing the game he cherished with friends.
Abby Makay / WDAY News
“He was very friendly, loved to visit and he took his golf game very seriously,” said Elaine.
At West Funeral Home, family and friends poured over pictures and told stories.
“This was the Border Classic (golf tournament), where you hit the golf ball in Canada and it lands an hour later in the U.S.,” said Elaine, pointing to another old golf photo.
There was no preparing for life without Red.
As Moorhead’s Village Green was preparing to wrap up the summer golf season, Red came out here for one last round. But he suffered a heart attack and died there on the golf course.
“They started CPR and called 911, but they weren’t able to bring him back. That is what the kids and grandkids and I have been telling ourselves that Dad was doing something he truly loved,” said Elaine.
The family all weighed in. If you are going to go suddenly, your happy place is … the place to go.
“I am glad he went the way he did. Good for him, not good for us, but happy he was doing what he loved and with his friend Luther, his golf buddy since 1985,” said Corey.
When friends and family gather for Red’s funeral on Friday, Nov. 14, they will celebrate a man who served his country, loved his family and time on the golf course.
That’s one reason that everyone coming to the reception following the funeral is asked to bring their favorite club.
“I know when he left us, he went to play those fairways in the sky,” said Arissa.
Red’s service is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, with the reception to follow from 3 to 5 p.m. at Golf Addiction in Fargo.
Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.
Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317
