He was born in Hoke County on November 4, 1939 to the late Neill A. McDonald, Jr. and Carrie Moore Nash McDonald.
He was the owner and operator of Raeford Oil Co., Inc.
He grew up in Raeford, graduated from Hoke County High School, and went to Campbell College, now Campbell University, for three-and-a-half years. His father died in Neill's last semester of college, and he had no choice but to come home and take care of his mother, McDonald's Tire Recapping Service, and Raeford Oil Company. He owned and operated McDonald's Tire Recapping Service for 36 years. While he worked full time in the tire business, he also kept up with everything at Raeford Oil Co., ran a wrecker service, and was an active member of the Raeford Fire Department, serving as the Assistant Chief during his 37 years of service. After selling McDonald's Tire Recapping in the late 90's, he began working full time at Raeford Oil Co., Inc. He fought pancreatic cancer gracefully, stoically, and was a fighter until his last breath.
On May 10, 1975, Neill married Harriett Smith. In the same year, he very graciously adopted Harriett's daughter, Mary Emily. In 1977, Neill and Harriett had a son, Neill A.(Mackie) McDonald IV.
He grew up in Raeford, graduated from Hoke County High School, and went to Campbell College, now Campbell University, for three-and-a-half years. His father died in Neill's last semester of college, and he had no choice but to come home and take care of his mother, McDonald's Tire Recapping Service, and Raeford Oil Company. He owned and operated McDonald's Tire Recapping Service for 36 years. While he worked full time in the tire business, he also kept up with everything at Raeford Oil Co., ran a wrecker service, and was an active member of the Raeford Fire Department, serving as the Assistant Chief during his 37 years of service. After selling McDonald's Tire Recapping in the late 90's, he began working full time at Raeford Oil Co., Inc. He fought pancreatic cancer gracefully, stoically, and was a fighter until his last breath.
On May 10, 1975, Neill married Harriett Smith. In the same year, he very graciously adopted Harriett's daughter, Mary Emily. In 1977, Neill and Harriett had a son, Neill A.(Mackie) McDonald IV.
He was a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church, but he was an active attendant at Antioch Presbyterian Church for many years. He helped many people in Raeford and beyond.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriett S. McDonald, his son, Neill Angus (Mackie) McDonald IV, and his beloved dog, Fiona.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Emily McDonald, of Raeford, a Godson, Younger Fletcher (Tripp) Snead, of Panama, a Goddaughter, Betty Blue, of Raeford, a sister-in-law, Melinda Smith, of Pinehurst, 2 nieces, Kimberly S. Gardner (Keith), of Fayetteville, and Elizabeth S. Moynahan (Will), of Lexington, KY, and by his special friend, Mrs. Margaret S. Hathaway, who made Neill the happiest he'd ever been, in the 5 years they were together.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 14, at the Raeford Cemetery, with Pastor Jim Smith officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the gravesite.
The family asks for privacy and time between now and Saturday.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may go to Antioch Presbyterian Church, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.