Robert Edward McDonald
Robert Edward McDonald of Chattanooga, Tennessee passed away surrounded by family in Troy, Alabama over the holidays.
Widely regarded as an awesome human being, brother, son, uncle and friend, he was also a self-celebrated guitarist, dreamer, part-time sound engineer (for Leon Russell), craftsman, golfer, and regional party playboy who never met a stranger and always had a positive attitude - never uttering a syllable of negativity or meanness (well… when sober).
In addition to being a neighbor of Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock, Robert served as the self-proclaimed manager of Jack Metals, a scrap yard on the outskirts of Troy. Prior to joining his friends in Troy, Robert spent time chasing the ever-elusive snook fish in the waters of the Loxahatchee River in and around Jupiter Island, FL. If you were to ask him, he would have told you that the common snook is a species of marine fish in the family Centropomidae of the order Perciformes. He never caught one. But he did catch a starfish one day.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Robert (known as Bobby in his youth) attended Northside Presbyterian Church and Normal Park Elementary School. He was also a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks - earning the equivalent of a PhD in S#*t Life Throws at You. In his youth Robert was an outstanding athlete (and very good looking). As a young baseball player, he was known as Show Boat when he played for the Dixie Youth Baseball League, racking up more home runs seasonally than any player before him. He was also a respectable golfer and gambler who stirred up more mischief inside the clubs where he played than anyone since.
Throughout Bob’s life he acquired many great talents, leading him to be a master of several trades including (but not limited to) golf course maintenance, carpentry, classic cars, construction, and fishing. His easygoing attitude along with his caring heart deemed Bob one of the most valued and cherished individuals within his circle of friends and family. His artistry and craftsmanship will forever be remembered and appreciated through the many fine crafted works left behind.
While he enjoyed a less than average life span, Robert did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, laughed inappropriately every chance he could, learned what he wanted to learn, fixed what he wanted to fix, and loved who he wanted to love - including himself (an amazing testament to loving the man in the mirror, no matter what).
While he was never one for sentiment or religion, he did ask that the family reach out to his friends and let them know that if he owes you a beer, and if you look him up in Heaven, he will gladly allow you to buy him another. He can likely be found eagerly assisting a friend in some small (or large) chore or just holding court with a giant smile on his beautiful face. Robert was a cherished friend always with good vibes and positive word to share. He will be missed.
Robert Is preceded in death by his father, Charles Alan McDonald of Chattanooga and his mother, Katy Lynn Corn-McDonald, also of Chattanooga. He is survived by brothers Charles Alan “Chuck” (Jan) McDonald, Jr; David Carl (Diane) McDonald; Christopher Ashley McDonald; a sister, Cindy Lynn McDonald (Jerry) Mendenhall; a son, Cody Lee McDonald; his best friend, Diane; and several adoring nieces and nephews.
Unlike some of Robert’s previous shenanigans, this is not a thinly-veiled attempt to avoid creditors, the legal system, family business, or old girlfriends. The undertaker assures us that he is gone. Sorry, Mom and Dad - we siblings did the best we could to take care of him and keep him out of your hair as long as possible… the ball’s in your court now.
A funeral service will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Chattanooga on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11 a.m.
Robert led a somewhat private and elusive life, and he asked that - rather than have a bunch of people gawking at him in a coffin - his ashes be spread in the ocean off the coast of Jupiter Island, Florida.
En lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Compassus Hospice of Troy, Alabama or St Jude Catholic Church in Chattanooga.