Roger Mcdonald

Roger died March 28, 2018 at home with his beloved wife Toni. Roger was born October 25, 1935 In Peoria, Illinois, to his loving parents, Paul Elwood McDonald and Mary Leora Downing. He was the delight of his parents, as they finally had a boy! Because his sisters were ten and twelve years older than he they thought he was their baby doll. Growing up on a farm he learned at an early age the value of good hard work and the pleasure and responsibility of taking care of animals. He had a horse (Buck) that dutifully took him to school every day, returned him home unscathed, and loved playing in the river with him.

Roger graduated from Phoenix Technical School which gave him the skills of a mechanical engineer. Roger worked in various companies using those skills and talents and through hard work and learning other skills as he went, was able to start his own handyman business.

He married his first wife Margaret Edna Williams on July 14, 1953 and had three wonderful children. He became a scout leader, enjoyed camping, traveling, dancing, and making and racing model cars. Following two more marriages and divorces, Roger met his wife, Toni in 1986 on a blind date, and they married in March 1, 1990 in San Dimas, California. They liked to go dancing, traveling, hiking and enjoying their precious children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Roger and Toni found the gospel through the missionaries and were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dec. 21, 1996 and were sealed in the St. George Temple on Jan 17, 1998. He enjoyed serving in numerous callings and his favorite was assisting in the Christmas lighting at the Temple. When his health started declining, he enjoyed watching old western shows on tv and could tell you the story lines by heart.

He is survived by his wife Toni, his three children Mary Preiss, San Antonio, Texas, Cherly Madaris (Dave), R. Cucamonga, Calif., Jennifer Batson (Bobby), Jonesboro, Arkansas, step daughter Angela Blankenship, seven grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his two sisters, Geraldine Knoke and Rosalee Hinnen and step son Alan Blankenship.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 550 East 700 South, St. George, Utah. Visitation will be held from 10:00am – 10:45am. Following the funeral the Interment will take place at the Ivins Cemetery under the direction of McMillan Mortuary.