Jacob was born in Rusk County, Texas on January 28, 1922 to Jacob and Sally Davis McDonald. Jacob grew up on the family farm as one of 13 children. He had numerous jobs in his lifetime starting as the Texas cowboy that he remained to the end. He worked as a welder in the shipyards during World War II. He met and married the love of his life Leila Jeanette Alcorn in 1953. Jacob worked in the drilling business that took him throughout the United States and to North Africa, Egypt and Somalia. They eventually settled in Sidney, Montana. Jacob continued in the seismic test hole drilling business, with his own rig, and enjoyed being a “Doodlebugger”. After retirement, he did childcare for his grandchildren—actual and “adopted”. He had a wonderful garden and beautiful flowers. He especially loved roses. Jacob enjoyed shooting guns, fishing, and going to the fitness center to walk and visit. He made friends everywhere he went. He loved the Lord with all his heart.
Jacob Gates McDonald II, “Pete”, 95 passed away peacefully at the Sidney Extended Care Center on July 29th, 2017.
Jacob loved his immediate family--David (Joy-Lyn) McDonald, Rebecca Crowley (Wallace Darling), and Jim (Dorene) McDonald. Jacob was a loving grandfather and great grandfather to David’s children, Micah and Jacob III, Rebecca’s three children, daughter Kristina (Jason) Casale and their son Giovanni, son Jeremy (Tina) Dasinger and their daughters Alexis, Jasmine, and Annie, and daughter Sunshine Jackson, and to Jim’s daughter Heather McDonald. He also considered Larry and Candy Swenson’s family his own, as well as others throughout the years.
Jacob was preceded in death by his parents, wife, eleven siblings and infant son, Donald Gene McDonald.
Jacob will be missed by all.