Thomas James "Jamie" MacDonald

 Thomas James (Jamie) MacDonald, 77, died July 4, 2020 at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

He was the son of the Reverend John Wesley MacDonald and Mary Edith Blews MacDonald. He was born in Morgantown, WV on January 22, 1943, but the MacDonald family went to live on a farm in Marion County.

He was homeschooled for the first two grades, then when the family moved to Titusville, PA he attended school there until moving to North Chili, NY where he continued in grade school. Then back to the farm. With great grit and determination, after his father’s death, he walked three miles one way to catch the school bus to East Fairmont High School. He was musically gifted and was a tenor in the All State Choir. He graduated with the class of 1962. Later joining the US Army. After his time in the Army, he busied himself on the farm and caring for his mother.

Jamie had a brilliant mind and a thirst for education. He registered at Fairmont State College and persevered until he graduated. He then was admitted to the graduate department at WVU to study German, a language at which he became proficient. He was also a gifted writer and enjoyed good literature and poetry.

A man of many talents he played piano, organ, guitar, recorder and accordion. Besides that, he had a beautiful voice much in demand as a song leader and vocalist.

On February 14, 1982 he married Sandra Kay Curtis. Their home was blessed by three children Thomas Jonathan, Sylvia Lynn and George Curtis. Jamie loved his family very much and often expressed his thanks to God for them.

When declining health made farming impractical, he worked for 84 Lumber in Fairmont and later for the IGA store in Philippi. He was fortunate to enjoy the hospitality of his sister, Mary Lynn Hipple and her family until ill health mandated his going to a nursing facility. His nephew, Peter B. Hipple was very helpful to him at this time. He was very appreciative of all the wonderful care and kindness that he received from all the staff at the WVVNF. He had many friends there and enjoyed playing music for them. He loved attending the Chapel services there.

Jamie is survived by his wife and children as well as four grandchildren: Lilah Kaye Gardner, Connor and Lillian MacDonald and a step-granddaughter Dominique.

He is also survived by a sister Ruth E. Pysell Haught and a brother Charles E. MacDonald (LaVerne). Jamie was a special uncle to: Marilyn E. Beckner (Tom), Walter C. Pysell (Caroline), Steven J. Pysell (Stephanie), Rachel E. Tallhamer (Rex), Jan Hipple, Gretchen Lyons (Kevin), Peter Hipple (Sharon), Joanna Stout (Ben), Fredericka Mitchell (Johnny), Suzi Benney (Charles), Ingrid Sell (Paul), Martha Stalder (Jim), John MacDonald (Karen), Becky Mickel,  Esther Gorbey and Wesley W. Nobles. He is also survived by host of beloved great-nieces and nephews.

Jamie was preceded in death by his parents; infant brothers: John Wesley MacDonald, Jr, Wallace Lincoln MacDonald and Robert Blews MacDonald; sisters Joanna M. Nobles Sapp, Mary Lynn Hipple; and brothers-in-law: Donald W. Nobles, Vernon Sapp, the Reverend Frederick J. Hipple, Walter C. Pysell and Emerson A. Haught. He was also preceded in death by nephews Charles E. MacDonald, Jr. and Frederick Joseph Hipple Jr; niece Katrina MacDonald Hipple and great-nephew Cpl. Jonathan Louis Tallhamer, USMC.

Family and friends will be meeting at Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave, Grafton, WV, 26354 on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 12:15PM and processing to the WV National Cemetery at 12:40PM for a Graveside Service at 1:00 PM with Rev. Charles E MacDonald officiating with full military honors accorded by the Taylor County Honor Guard and United States Army Honor Guard. Online condolences can be sent to the MacDonald family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com. Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the MacDonald family.

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