Obituary of Benjamin Edward McDonald

Mr. Benjamin Edward McDonald of Kountze, Texas, passed away Friday, November 30, 2018, at his residence at the age of 85 years, 4 months, 2 days.

Mr. McDonald was born July 28, 1933, in Nederland, Texas, to parents Herschel McDonald and Margaret Selman McDonald. Ben grew up in various communities of Southeast Texas and was a longtime resident of the Lumberton/Kountze/Silsbee areas of Hardin County, Texas.

At a young age, Mr. McDonald joined the U.S. Navy and retired with 24 years of service, primarily on aircraft carriers and submarines. After retirement from the Navy, he lived in Brownwood, Texas, for a number of years and worked as a carpenter at the juvenile justice department’s state school there. Ready to return to Southeast Texas, he transferred to the state school in Port Arthur, Texas, before his retirement from the state. Throughout life, he enjoyed fishing and squirrel hunting. Ben always had a great passion in life for his wife, children, and his church. He was a member of Lumberton Church of Christ.

His survivors include his wife, Sandra McDonald of Kountze, Texas; daughters, Margie Peschel and Gene of Kountze, Texas, and Laurie Thomas and David McGlumphy of Lumberton, Texas; a son, James McDonald and Peggy of Abilene, Texas; brothers, John McDonald of Warren, Texas, and Forrest McDonald of Waco, Texas; eight grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Allen McDonald; parents, Herschel and Margaret McDonald; and a brother, James McDonald.

Visitation will be held Sunday, December 2, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home, located at 415 N. Fourth Street in Silsbee, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 3, 2018, at the Farmer Funeral Home Chapel with Charles Hampton of the Lumberton Church of Christ officiating. Interment will follow at Hooks Cemetery, located off U.S. Hwy. 69 South in Kountze, Texas.

Visit www.farmerfhsilsbee.com to offer memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home, located at 415 North Fourth Street in Silsbee.