James McDonald

James Alan McDonald, 91, passed away on January 8, 2022, at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier, ND. Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bathgate Presbyterian Church, Bathgate, ND. Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND.

James was born November 8, 1930, at Bathgate, ND, to Percy and Avis (Stratton) McDonald. He attended school at Crystal, ND, before moving to Neche, ND, where he attended country school. He went to high school initially at Bathgate and then later graduated from Park River, ND, high school. James then attended the State School of Science at Wahpeton, ND, for two years while also engaging in farming. His love of agriculture would continue throughout his life. In 1955, James enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years primarily at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Following his service, he returned to North Dakota and joined his father’s farming operation. On November 1, 1959, he married Myra Miller in Hazen, ND. During the early years of marriage, James would farm from spring to fall and then work as a truck driver in the winters living in Grand Forks, ND. He would continue to farm until retirement.
James and Myra have three sons, Landis, Stuart, and Jason. James was a member of the Bathgate, ND, Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He was also a member of the American Legion in Neche.

James is survived by his wife of 62 years, three sons, Landis (Susan), Stuart (Margaret), and Jason (Pamela), and grandchildren, Ann, Connor, Katherine, Lilly, and Tyler McDonald.

Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters: Lois (Lee Lembke) of Porterville, CA, and Nola (Bill Asher) of Las Vegas, NV.

The family is very appreciative of the care he received at Wedgewood Manor while he lived there in Cavalier.