Jimmie Luster Mcdonnal

Jimmie L. McDonnal, 85, died June 26, 2019. Born on March 21, 1934, he was the only son of Emmett and Mabel Wyatt McDonnal. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a sister, Romona Lucas; a granddaughter, Tarren Celeste Courtney; and his faithful companion, his Chocolate Lab, Mick. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 - 2:45 PM. Jim was educated in the public schools of Jefferson County, Oklahoma and he furthered his education at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) majoring in Animal Husbandry. He served his country in the Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Ft. Bragg. NC. Following his service in the Army, he became manager of Sally Mac Farms, Monroe, NC, a large cattle producing operation. He served in many leadership positions in the National Cattlemen’s Association, the NC Cattlemen’s Association, NC Cattlemen’s Foundation and local Agri-Business organizations. He was also active in Hereford and Simmental Associations. He received numerous awards for his leadership in the cattle industry and was named to the Union County Agriculture Hall of Fame. Jim was an active leader in the 4-H Clubs on a local and state level. He received the National 4-H Alumni Award in 1977. In addition to being active in the cattle industry and 4-H, he was also an auctioneer. Jim was a volunteer firefighter and served as Chief of Griffith Road VFD. He was named Union County Firefighter of the Year in 1992. He later served as Assistant Fire Marshal of Union County. Following his retirement from Union County Fire Service, he served as a Fire Inspector for the Monroe Fire Department. Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years Sarah “Becky” Linker McDonnal; his daughter, Jodi M. Wallace (Paul); a grandson, Trey Courtney (Casey Wilson), all of Monroe; two sisters, Peggy Collett of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Patricia Snider of O’Fallon, Missouri; and his beloved Chocolate Lab, Tess. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 2528 Stack Rd, Monroe, NC 28112. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the McDonnal family.