Obituary of William Jackson McDonald

Husband, father, teacher, musician, and craftsman, William Jackson McDonald, other wise known as Jackson or Jack, was a man of great integrity and honesty. He was patient, kind, humble and very, very funny. Born in Empress, Alberta on September 14, 1925 to William and Jean McDonald of Cappon, Jackson later left the family farm in 1944 to serve one year in the Canadian Army and from there he entered the teaching profession. He was a teacher for 37 and a half years. Not only did he teach but he also pursued his own education as well and received a Bachelor of Education degree in Industrial Arts from the University of Calgary in 1971. His career transitioned from the early one room school houses, such as Mericourt and Helmsdale, where he would often create a school band and inspire the love of music in his students, to teaching industrial arts, where he shared his artistry and knowledge of wood working, and finally, concluding his career at the Ribstone Hutterite Colony in the Buffalo Trails Public School Division, retiring in 1984. Throughout his teaching career and in retirement, Jackson devoted his time to volunteering and serving in various capacities in the United Church in Oyen, Foremost, and Wainwright, Alberta. He also served as the treasurer for the local Wainwright Retired Teachers' Association for many years and he enjoyed playing his fiddle to entertain the residents of the Battle River Lodge. During his retirement, Jackson crafted beautiful hand made rocking chairs and foot stools that were highly sought after. Always ready to entertain on his guitar or fiddle, and a prolific song writer, he penned The Flu song and The Feather Tick song among others, which are legendary to his children and are often cited. Loyal and supportive to his family, his wife Rose of 57 years and his children, Kenneth McDonald, Kimberley McDonald-Kingston, and son-in-law Kevin Kingston, he was a constant loving presence, who was always on call at any given moment to help out his family with anything they needed. His character, values, and humour are so indelible that his legacy will be forever cherished by his family. He will also be greatly missed by his brothers, Kenneth (Carrol) McDonald of Oyen, Hughy McDonald of Craigmyle, and sisters, Joyce Hoffman of Oyen, and Shirley Fee of Medicine Hat, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Jackson was predeceased by his sister Margaret Klevier and his brother Stuart McDonald. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke foundation.