Robert Owen McDonald

February 1, 1935 - December 8, 2019

Robert O. McDonald, 84, of Asheville passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Tulsa, OK, he was the son of the late Vernon Owen McDonald and Elizabeth Katherine Huenneke McDonald. Bob was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Jean McDonald in September of 2018; and a sister, Eileen Young. Bob graduated from Daniel Webster High School in Tulsa, OK, in 1953. He then went to work in the petroleum industry. Bob was a draftsman for DX Oil Company in Tulsa, OK. In 1960, he and Shirley moved to El Dorado, AR, where he worked as a Senior Engineering Assistant for Lion Oil Company until his retirement in 1998. During that time, Bob and Shirley also owned "The Flower Basket" and was an active member of the choir at St. Paul United Methodist Church in El Dorado, AR. In 1998 they moved to Asheville. He was an active member of Central United Methodist Church and again sang with the choir. Bob enjoyed singing in many barbershop quartets throughout his lifetime and was a member of The Land of Sky Chorus. He also enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family. Robert is survived by his son, Scott McDonald, and his wife Tammie, and their daughters, Megan and Sarah, all of Asheville, NC; his daughter Melinda Lunn, her husband Greg, and their children Parker, Gabrielle and Palmer, of Fayetteville, AR; two sisters, Charlene Cardwell of Houston, TX, and Karen Britt of Sand Springs, OK; a brother, Dale McDonald of Skiatook, OK; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at Central United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 27, 2019 with Rev. Dr. Rob Blackburn officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Central United Methodist Church Music Fund, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801.