Harold Earnest McDonald

Harold Earnest “Spanky” McDonald, a dependable and supportive person to all he met, died Monday, November 16, at his residence at the age of 88. Harold was born September 14, 1932 in Lansing, the son of Roscoe and Bessie (Rogers) McDonald. Harold, or “Spanky” as his grandfather called him, was a self-proclaimed “wild child” with an ambitious streak as he was growing up. As a youth in Lansing he delivered papers for both the Lansing State Journal and the Detroit Free Press. He became well known around the neighborhood and it wasn’t unusual for him to be invited to breakfast at one of the neighbors’ homes (after he had eaten breakfast at his own home).
Harold also loved visiting the farm of his grandparents where he would often follow his cousin’s lead…pulling the goat’s whiskers, terrorizing the chickens, pulling each other around in a toy wagon and riding an old “doodle bug” around the countryside. One of his favorite stories is the day he and classmates climbed up on the schoolhouse roof to fix the school bell rope. They pulled the ladder up and stayed up there the rest of the day. However, the teacher came to his house to inform his parents, and that “earned him a whippin.”
As he grew older his attention turned to tractors and cars. He often recalled his first car as a green ’36 Chevy with no shift, no brakes, no gas, and no glass. Spanky entered the U.S Army in 1950 and served in Korea where he was one of the survivors of the Iron Triangle. Upon returning from service overseas he escorted dignitaries around Ft. Custer and helped indoctrinate new troops.
Harold met his wife, Vera, while hanging out at the gas station of Vera’s father, Harold Brown. Spanky and Vera were married in 1953 in Muir, Mich. at her grandparents’ farm. Together they raised two sons, Harold Jr. and Steven. They moved to a farm outside of Charlotte where Harold developed his love of farming and tractors. His ambition led him to several other jobs at the same time which included his work at Aluminum Extrusions (AE) in Charlotte where he a was one of the longest-term employees. He also began work as a minister, helping to establish the RLDS church in Charlotte, where he served as treasurer for many years, and at the same time owned and managed several rental apartments. After AE closed, Harold and Vera moved to Leslie where they ran a motel. In 2002 they returned to Charlotte. During all that time Harold’s favorite hobby was “bookkeeping.” He reveled in keeping track of numbers and accounts.
Harold is survived by his wife Vera; his two sons, Harold Jr., and Steven; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and his sister, Hazel Whitford Bowen Smith. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Clara Belle; brother, Leon; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation and funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Real Life Church in Charlotte with Pastor Martin Garn officiating.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Harold on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.