Frank McDonald, president of the Chattanooga Free Press and Chattanooga Times, died at his home late Monday evening.
Mr. McDonald, son of the late Roy McDonald, founder of the Chattanooga Free Press, was well known in the Chattanooga area as a member of the popular bluegrass group the Dismembered Tennesseeans ( Photo ).
Frank McDonald, who was 70, was also very active in local civic organizations, including leading the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.
Survivors include his wife, Mimi; son, Frank McDonald Jr.; and daughters, Liz Aplin and Corinne Hennen.
Wann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain.
There will be a funeral service on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd followed by a private family burial.
Mr. McDonald had undergone a long and courageous struggle with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
He was a popular emcee at a number of events who was well known for his anecdotes and sense of humor.
He had continued to come into the newspaper to work five days a week even after he was in an advanced stage of his illness.
Mr. McDonald had been advertiser director at the paper, and he took over its leadership after the death of Roy McDonald.
The family owns McDonald Farm at Sale Creek.
Mr. McDonald was long associated with the Ketner's Mill Country Fair.
He had also served as president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association.
Mr. McDonald was active in installing a new printing press at the newspaper, and he threw the switch to start it on its first operation.
He resided on Lookout Mountain.