Obituary for Frederick Leon McDonald Sr.
Frederick Leon McDonald, age 82, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
Frederick was a kind, generous and eloquent gentleman. He listened well. He lived a life of service to his community, his family and his friends. He worked hard and enjoyed the time that he had.
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since…
Frederick was born on May 16, 1938 in Sanford, Florida to parents Walter and Pearl McDonald He was raised among his siblings: Laura, Walter, Vernell, Mattie “Sunny”, Virgil, and Sharelle and cousins who he considered siblings, Hubert Ford and Eartha Mae Poitier.
After graduating from high school at Crooms Academy in Sanford, Florida, he enlisted and served for four years in the United States Air Force. Upon being honorably discharged, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University, followed by a law degree from Howard University School of Law. While living in Washington D.C. Frederick became a father to his first child, Michelle. Frederick put himself through law school doing many different jobs including driving a taxi and delivering packages for UPS. He never forgot one particular delivery – a delivery that changed his life. One that day, he delivered a AAA Triptik to Bettye Walker one day and immediately decided to invite her to a party. Frederick married Bettye, the love of his life, on December 30, 1965. The next year, they welcomed their son, Frederick II.
After receiving his law degree, the McDonald’s moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Frederick would work briefly as an attorney in labor relations at Ford Motor Company. After arriving in Ann Arbor, the McDonald’s welcomed their second son, Kevin. Frederick left Ford, he decided to start his own law practice, eventually forming the firm, Hamilton & McDonald. His law firm with his long-time partner, Vanzetti Hamilton. Over the years the Hon. Judge. J. Cedric Simpson and Stephani Carter joined the partnership. His law firm was his base of service to the community for more than 40 years.
Frederick was one of the first African-American attorneys working in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area, eventually becoming the first African-American president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association. He worked tirelessly for his clients and will be remembered for diligently assisting everyone that he could. He was especially proud of the many high school and law school interns and young attorneys that he mentored over the years, many of whom went on to be lawyers and judges.
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me don't hang around. . .
Frederick was committed to giving back to his community. His strong belief in community service translated into dedication to numerous causes and organizations, including serving as the Chair of the Washtenaw County Department of Human Services, President of the Ann Arbor Community Center, and serving as a trustee at Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 20 years. Some of the many other boards he served on included the NAACP, the Ann Arbor Democratic Party, Community Action Network, Michigan Child and Family Services and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.
As Frederick would say, he “endeavored” to treat everyone with dignity and respect. He believed in justice and equality and lived his life in pursuit of those ideals. He patiently listened to those who needed help, or his kids, or friends, and didn’t raise his voice or overreact, but responded by simply and calmly going about his work solving the problems that they faced.
There have been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on. . .
In his spare time, Frederick enjoyed golf as well as travel. In fact, Frederick and Bettye explored the world together traveling to many different countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. However, it was in times spent in fellowship with his friends and family that made him happiest. He was a 50-year Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.., a founding and charter member of the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Inc., a 33° Mason and member of St. Mary’s Lodge #4 and a member of Elks Pratt Lodge #322. He also enjoyed starting his weekends with his TGIF friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Pearl McDonald; his siblings, Laura Grayson, Walter McDonald, and Mattie “Sunny” Zanders. His brother Vernell passed shortly after Frederick.
Frederick will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Bettye W. McDonald; his children, Michelle McDonald (Marcus), Frederick McDonald II (Tauana), and Kevin McDonald (Deborah); and his grandchildren, Blake Paul-McDonald, Elijah McDonald, Erica McDonald, Frederick “Trey” McDonald III and Jackson Paul-McDonald. He is also survived by his brother, Virgil McDonald and sister, Sharelle McDonald as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Frederick listened to “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, over and over. It was his song.
It's been a long time, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come.
In honor of his love of education, memorial contributions may be made to the Frederick L. McDonald, Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Washtenaw Community College. Please visit https://wccnet.edu/give and enter "Frederick McDonald Memorial" in the box labeled "I would like to designate my gift to the following fund/purpose." or mail checks to the Washtenaw Community College Foundation (4800 East Huron River Drive, Student Center Building, Suite 304, Ann Arbor, MI 48105).
Private cremation services have taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date where we can celebrate his life and join together for, in his words, “convivialities.”
Frederick will be missed greatly by all that knew and loved him, however, as he would so often say, we’ll talk again “when time permits.”
Frederick was a kind, generous and eloquent gentleman. He listened well. He lived a life of service to his community, his family and his friends. He worked hard and enjoyed the time that he had.
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since…
Frederick was born on May 16, 1938 in Sanford, Florida to parents Walter and Pearl McDonald He was raised among his siblings: Laura, Walter, Vernell, Mattie “Sunny”, Virgil, and Sharelle and cousins who he considered siblings, Hubert Ford and Eartha Mae Poitier.
After graduating from high school at Crooms Academy in Sanford, Florida, he enlisted and served for four years in the United States Air Force. Upon being honorably discharged, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University, followed by a law degree from Howard University School of Law. While living in Washington D.C. Frederick became a father to his first child, Michelle. Frederick put himself through law school doing many different jobs including driving a taxi and delivering packages for UPS. He never forgot one particular delivery – a delivery that changed his life. One that day, he delivered a AAA Triptik to Bettye Walker one day and immediately decided to invite her to a party. Frederick married Bettye, the love of his life, on December 30, 1965. The next year, they welcomed their son, Frederick II.
After receiving his law degree, the McDonald’s moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Frederick would work briefly as an attorney in labor relations at Ford Motor Company. After arriving in Ann Arbor, the McDonald’s welcomed their second son, Kevin. Frederick left Ford, he decided to start his own law practice, eventually forming the firm, Hamilton & McDonald. His law firm with his long-time partner, Vanzetti Hamilton. Over the years the Hon. Judge. J. Cedric Simpson and Stephani Carter joined the partnership. His law firm was his base of service to the community for more than 40 years.
Frederick was one of the first African-American attorneys working in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area, eventually becoming the first African-American president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association. He worked tirelessly for his clients and will be remembered for diligently assisting everyone that he could. He was especially proud of the many high school and law school interns and young attorneys that he mentored over the years, many of whom went on to be lawyers and judges.
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me don't hang around. . .
Frederick was committed to giving back to his community. His strong belief in community service translated into dedication to numerous causes and organizations, including serving as the Chair of the Washtenaw County Department of Human Services, President of the Ann Arbor Community Center, and serving as a trustee at Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 20 years. Some of the many other boards he served on included the NAACP, the Ann Arbor Democratic Party, Community Action Network, Michigan Child and Family Services and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.
As Frederick would say, he “endeavored” to treat everyone with dignity and respect. He believed in justice and equality and lived his life in pursuit of those ideals. He patiently listened to those who needed help, or his kids, or friends, and didn’t raise his voice or overreact, but responded by simply and calmly going about his work solving the problems that they faced.
There have been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on. . .
In his spare time, Frederick enjoyed golf as well as travel. In fact, Frederick and Bettye explored the world together traveling to many different countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. However, it was in times spent in fellowship with his friends and family that made him happiest. He was a 50-year Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.., a founding and charter member of the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Inc., a 33° Mason and member of St. Mary’s Lodge #4 and a member of Elks Pratt Lodge #322. He also enjoyed starting his weekends with his TGIF friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Pearl McDonald; his siblings, Laura Grayson, Walter McDonald, and Mattie “Sunny” Zanders. His brother Vernell passed shortly after Frederick.
Frederick will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Bettye W. McDonald; his children, Michelle McDonald (Marcus), Frederick McDonald II (Tauana), and Kevin McDonald (Deborah); and his grandchildren, Blake Paul-McDonald, Elijah McDonald, Erica McDonald, Frederick “Trey” McDonald III and Jackson Paul-McDonald. He is also survived by his brother, Virgil McDonald and sister, Sharelle McDonald as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Frederick listened to “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, over and over. It was his song.
It's been a long time, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come.
In honor of his love of education, memorial contributions may be made to the Frederick L. McDonald, Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Washtenaw Community College. Please visit https://wccnet.edu/give and enter "Frederick McDonald Memorial" in the box labeled "I would like to designate my gift to the following fund/purpose." or mail checks to the Washtenaw Community College Foundation (4800 East Huron River Drive, Student Center Building, Suite 304, Ann Arbor, MI 48105).
Private cremation services have taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date where we can celebrate his life and join together for, in his words, “convivialities.”
Frederick will be missed greatly by all that knew and loved him, however, as he would so often say, we’ll talk again “when time permits.”