Richard William McDonald transitioned from this earthly life to his eternal home on Monday, March 9, 2026. He was born in Queens, Long Island, New York on March 16, 1941 to William Harry McDonald and Ethel Roberta Francis. Richard had fond memories of his Aunts Ruth and Amy who took him to Sunday School as he was growing up in New York City. In 1951, after the addition of his sisters Irene and Lorraine, the family moved to Aurora, Illinois, where he graduated from West Aurora High School in 1958.

He attended the University of Oklahoma on a band scholarship where he played the tuba in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band until his graduation in 1962. During his time in the band, he enjoyed playing and marching in all the regular football games, bowl games and numerous parades and rallies on campus.

During college Richard joined the First Baptist Church in Norman. While singing in the choir he met and fell in love with his future wife Sherry Diane Rhodes. Married November 24, 1962, their love of choral music continued through future church homes at Jones Creek Baptist Church in Freeport, Texas, and First Baptist Church in Ionia, Michigan. One of Richard’s favorite pieces was the oratorio “Elijah,” and he often burst into a raucous rendition of the fiery, fiery chariot chorus.

In the mid-60’s, the young couple lived in Ionia, Michigan where Richard worked for Dow Chemical Company. They returned to Norman in 1967, when Richard went to work for his father-in-law Cecil Rhodes, at Rhodes Grain Company. Richard’s degree in chemistry provided a valuable asset to the business that manufactured all types of livestock feed. After Cecil’s death, Richard managed “the Mill” as the family referred to it, until it closed in 2015.

In his spare time, Richard began pursuing his lifelong avocation of photography. Eventually what began as a hobby turned into a bustling business. Over the years he photographed countless rehearsal dinners, weddings and other precious family events. In addition, he was the official photographer for several local equestrian clubs, multiple agricultural related groups and assisted in developing pictures for his sons’ school newspapers and yearbooks.

He was also an avid woodworker in his golden years, donating his time to create several projects for local businesses and charities. His favorite projects, however, were the ornate doll houses he built for his beloved granddaughters.

Known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, he was the encouraging factor in both of his grandsons joining their school bands. He loved being a grandfather and was a steady source of encouragement for all of them.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, and his in-laws Cecil and Mary Rhodes of Norman, Oklahoma.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sherry Rhodes McDonald, sons David, John and his wife Sandra, and Seth and his wife Kara. Grandchildren, Katelin, Addison, Charlie and Jack McDonald, sisters, Irene Warning and Lorraine (Taylor) Steinberg and sister-in-law Kathy Rhodes and her husband Brad Quillen.

The family would like to express its profound thanks to Elizabeth Hubbard, family friend and caretaker of Richard, without whom we would have been lost in these difficult days.