Graham McDonald

Graham McDonald died Sunday afternoon, February 5, 2012 at his home in Overgaard, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 71 years old. Graham was born on March 28, 1940 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to the late Percival Stuart and Margaret Constance (Giles) McDonald. In 1963, Graham moved from South Africa to Rhodesia, which is just north of his country of birth. While he was living in Rhodesia, he was a member of the Rhodesian Security Forces' Police Anti Terrorist Unit. He truly was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice through his service in the anti terrorist unit and, because of his genuine love and concern for Rhodesia, many hundreds and thousands of people were spared their lives and freedom. He was a hero. Following his Rhodesian Security Forces service, Graham completed his college education and became a mining engineer. While living in Rhodesia, he worked in the copper mining industry. In 1980, Graham and his family made a huge change, crossing over the Atlantic Ocean, then traversing over an entire continent and settled in the small mining town of Bagdad, Arizona. He continued in his position as a copper mining engineer for another 20 years, and was able to retire in 2000. Immediately following his retirement, he and his wife, Anne, were able to move to Overgaard, Arizona where they have since resided. Graham was never one to be idle. He loved living in the beauty of the mountains and thought that the Mogollon Rim was a little piece of heaven on earth. He was a volunteer member of the Heber/Overgaard Fire Department for 7 years and considered it a privilege to be able to protect the forested mountains. Whenever he wasn't busy doing something else, he did enjoy his quiet time fishing. He loved a good fishing trip and his favorite fishing hole was at Willow Springs Lake. Graham had a beautiful soul and his family will miss him greatly. He is survived by: his wife, Anne Mary (Francis) McDonald of Overgaard, Arizona; 2 children: Andrew (Lori) McDonald of Georgia, Kathryn Jones of Bagdad, Arizona; 4 grandchildren: AnneKelly McDonald, Jenna McDonald, Connor McDonald, Trevor Jones; and a sister, Ann Higgins of England. As you continue down life's road, think of Graham and smile and just know he'll be smiling right back at you.