Charles McDonald

Charles Paul McDonald, 83, of Rochester, Minnesota passed into glory in the hands of his Lord and Savior at Samaritan Bethany Care Center on September 15, 2025, due to his extended health issues.

Charles was born on January 19, 1942, in Montour Falls, New York to parents Charles J. McDonald and Annabelle Simpson.

He has lived in Rochester since 2014. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy from 1959 until 1982 when he retired as and E-8 Senior Chief. He was a boiler tech in the Navy, serving on destroyers, cruisers and oilers. He served in the Vietnam theater providing support for our ground forces. He was very proud of that. After his service he became an over the road truck driver. He then moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, to care for his mother. He drove locally there and started a small engine business. In the mid 1990's he retired to central Florida. In 2004 he moved to Collington, North Carolina with his son Jim McDonald. In 2014 he moved in with his son in Rochester, Minnesota until December 2023 when he moved into Samaritan Bethany Care Center for special care.

Charles loved to fish and enjoyed listening and played the banjo proficiently. He will be greatly missed.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Debra Fride of Powhatan, Virginia; James P. McDonald of Grady, North Carolina; Bryan S. McDonald of Rochester. Charles has eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sherry McDonald and son John McDonald. They are all enjoying heaven as a family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. at Midwest Bible Baptist Church in Rochester, Minnesota. Charles will be laid to rest at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota with full military honors.