Theodore Mcdonald

Colonel Theodore McDonald, III, Retired U.S. Army, born January 9, 1943, departed this world to receive his eternal reward on August 31, 2023 at The Retreat Hospice by SAAD in Mobile, Alabama. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, September 16. 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Sandersville United Methodist Church, with military honors.  The family will receive friends following the memorial service in Heritage Hall of the church.   Reverend Dr. Stan Littleton will officiate.

Theo was a graduate of Dublin High School and North Georgia College, where he received a B.A. in History. Later in life, he pursued a Masters of Public Administration, at Georgia Southern.

Colonel McDonald was a veteran of the Vietnam War and proudly served 28 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1992. This career took him and his family all over the world, including posts in Germany, South Korea and many American postings. Then-Major McDonald played an active role in establishing US Central Command (CENTCOM) in 1983, as it was created from the existing Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF). During this period, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Finally, his last posting as a Colonel was as Deputy Community Commander, in the U.S. military community in Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany.

After retirement and a period of time in Hinesville, Georgia, Theo moved to Sandersville to accept a job with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, where he and Portia were able at long last to put down roots in a community that welcomed them and yielded them many years of friendship and support.

After the passing of his beloved wife in 2022, Theo was able to reconnect with his high school sweetheart, the former Sandra Brown, formerly of Dublin, lately of Theodore, AL. They were married on December 27, 2022.

Preceding Theo in death are his parents, Theodore McDonald, II and Dorothy Floyd McDonald Tomlinson; his brother Steve McDonald; and his wife of 58 years, Portia Hargrove McDonald.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Brown McDonald; as well as sons, Kevin Theodore McDonald (Melissa) of Tampa, Florida, Matthew Hill McDonald (Dina) of Macon, Georgia, Steven Smith McDonald (Kellie) of Canton, Georgia, and Theodore (Buddy) McDonald IV (Phuong Pham) of Canton, Georgia, along with Michele Adkins (Dwayne) of Bristow, Virginia and Kyle Brannon (Christiane) of Vienna, Austria. Theo’s legacy also lives on through the lives of his grandchildren; Rachel Anne McDonald of Macon, Georgia, Alexandra Nicole McDonald Bloch (Dylan) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jacob Matthew McDonald (Sara) of Marietta, Georgia, Caden James McDonald of Tampa, Florida, Edwin Thomas McDonald of Canton, Georgia, Grace Kellie McDonald of Canton, Georgia, and Oliver Hai Lonzo McDonald, of Canton, Georgia. Theo is also survived by siblings; Suzanne (Jack) Heidler of Dublin, Georgia, Kathy Tomlinson Beck (Don) of Dexter, Georgia, Kenny Tomlinson (Nancy) of Dudley, Georgia, and Anthony Tomlinson (Samantha) of Dublin, Georgia.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.  Leave an online condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com