Jack McDonald

Jack McDonald, long-time Pullman businessman, passed away Friday, Nov. 20, at his Bishop Place home. He was 86. Jack, as he has long been known, was born Gordon Russell McDonald on October 25, 1929 in Polson. He was the youngest of four children to bless the William and Lucinda Keller McDonald family. Jack grew up near Polson and liked to play football for the high school team. Following graduation he travelled to Western Washington and worked for the railroad near Centralia. He married Ruby Wickard, a classmate of his from Polson, on August 9, 1950 in Bremerton, Wash. They lived in the Bremerton/Seattle area briefly before moving to Pullman in 1958. Jack bought and ran the Burgerville Drive-In in Pullman for many years. He was affectionately known all around town as “Hamburger Jack”. He also owned and operated the A & W Restaurant on Pullman’s Grand Avenue for many years. Jack was active with many endeavors throughout his life. He built up the corner near his A & W and dabbled in other investments with his brother. Jack was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He liked to golf, go hunting or fishing, and was a good bowler. Jack and Ruby liked to maintain a large garden and yard at their home. For many years Jack kept livestock at their home including everything from horses and cows to llamas.  He and Ruby liked to travel around the area visiting family or spending quality time at their lake home. Ruby passed away in May this year and Jack missed her every day since. He died six months to the day later. He is survived by his three children; Candy (David) Barnett of Gresham, Ore., Bob (Christine) McDonald of Tillamook, Ore., and Bill (Cindy) McDonald of Bigfork; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert McDonald of Vancouver, Wash. and a sister, Lenore Peterson of Bremerton, Wash. In addition to his wife Ruby, Jack was preceded in death by a son Jack McDonald in 1998 as well as an infant son, Michael, and by a brother, Roy McDonald of Colfax. The Rosary/Vigil Service was held on Friday, Nov. 27 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pullman, Wash. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Sacred Heart. Graveside services followed at the Pullman Cemetery. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, Wash. is caring for the family. The family suggests memorial donations to the Sacred Heart Altar Society. Online condolences may be sent to the kimballfh.com website.