James McDonald

FROSTBURG- James Allan McDonald, 81, of Frostburg, went peacefully home to Our Heavenly Father On Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at his daughter’s home in Cresaptown. Born on March 28, 1937, Mr. McDonald was the son of the John James and Agnes Laura (Laslo) McDonald. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 54 years. Carol Ann (Leasure) McDonald and one sister, Katherine Atkinson. Mr. McDonald was a member of the First Congregational Church of Frostburg. Jim was a 1955 graduate of Valley High School and a December, 1964 graduate of the Maryland State Police Academy. During his career with the Maryland State Police Academy, Jim served in Patrol, the automotive inspection division and as a firearm instructor. Jim’s love was competing in pistol shooting competitions. While representing the Maryland State Police Pistol team, Jim won hundreds of local, regional and national pistol shooting competitions to include the prestigious Maryland Governors Twenty Award. After retiring from the Maryland State Police, Jim worked for may years doing security work in various capacities including Scotty’s Investigations, Allegany County Office Complex, and the FEMA complex in Cumberland. Jim’s hobbies included hunting, shooting, fishing, and traveling. Jim leaves behind three children Lori Haberlein and husband, William of Smithsburg, Allan McDonald of Laurel, and Cathy Wakefield and husband Jamie, with whom he resided for the past 4 years in Cresaptown. In addition, he leaves behind four grandchildren whom he adored; Lucas Haberlein and wife Darla and Ashley Haberlein, all of Smithsburg and Jacob and Justin Wakefield of Cresaptown. The family would also like to express their gratitude for the loving care provided to Jim by his dedicated and faithful caregivers, especially Janet Van Meter and Judy Growden. Family and friends will be received at the Sowers Funeral Home, 60 West Main St., Frostburg on Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Hamilton officiating. Interment will be in Frostburg Memorial Park. The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Jim’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5 Public Square, Suite 307, Hagerstown, MD 21740.