Today we mourn the passing of our beloved brother, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle & friend. On March 5, 1944, Bob and Mildred McDonald gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Benny K. He was raised on his parents' farm in Vici and graduated from Vici High School in 1962. He was baptized into the faith on January 12, 1965 by Merl Brandenberg. While attending college, he met the love of his life Margaret Alwilda Evans. Benny knew of her and sought her out for a first date at Willard Hall on the campus of Oklahoma State University. From that first date began a great romance that became official on May 22, 1965 in Parkland, OK. Their first son Michael Wayne was born March 26, 1967 in Stillwater, OK. Their second son Steven Lyle made a surprise entrance into the world in the backseat of their car, delivered by Benny, on February 23, 1970 while they were living in Durant, OK.

Benny graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1967 with a double major in Poultry Science and Agricultural Education. After living in Stillwater, Omega, Woodward, Durant, Anadarko, Ft. Cobb, and Clinton over a 9-year period, Benny and Margaret moved back to Benny's hometown of Vici, OK where they settled. They were surrounded by many family members, church members, and friends. After working for two years at Omega, OK as an Ag. Teacher, Benny worked for 30 years with Farmers Home Administration and then 5 years as an independent contract appraiser.

Benny loved hunting including deer, elk, and moose. He enjoyed entertaining hunters and sharing hunting stories as much as going hunting himself. He shared his love of the outdoors with his sons and then his grandsons.

Another true love of Benny's was sports. He had a deep passion for both basketball and baseball. Some might remember the "lucky cattle whip" he carried to baseball games in the trunk of his car. He would not enter the ballpark until he had pulled it out and whipped it a few times. In his last years he acquired an appetite for golf. Not a day went by when he didn't ask a family member to put the TV on the golf channel…funny thing, he never knew who was winning the tournament he was watching.

Benny truly loved spending time with his grandkids. He gave them many tractor rides, explored the farm, took them on trail rides, attended numerous sporting events, and his favorite thing was to take the grandkids to feed cattle.

Upon retirement, Benny and Margaret both shared the love of traveling. They have been to many great places including Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean as well as numerous trips to Branson with family and friends. Benny even bicycled hundreds of miles across Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas highways with Margaret, Steve and family friends. His friendships, family, and love of helping others serve as a testament to the person he was and the person we all strive to be.

Benny passed from this life to be with his Lord and his beloved wife on December 21, 2011. During his last days he so appreciated the comfort, love, support, and numerous visits he received from the church brethren. He also enjoyed the time he spent with his sons and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Mildred McDonald and his wife Margaret. Those remaining to cherish his memory are his son Mike and wife Michelle of Woodward, OK, and his son Steve and wife Dana of League City, TX; his grandchildren Ashley, Matt, and Amy McDonald of Woodward, OK, and Megan and Ryan McDonald of League City, TX; his brother Carl McDonald and wife Bonnie of Vici, OK; his brother Lyman McDonald and wife Margie of Laramie, WY; one great-grandchild, Teague; 6 nieces, 9 nephews, other family and a host of loving friends. Benny was a truly great man who is much loved and will be deeply missed.

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.

The family of Benny McDonald would like to extend our deepest appreciation for all the cards, flowers, food, and support during our time of sorrow and remembrance.