Mr. Jeffrey Edwin McDonald, age 63, of Fairmount, Georgia, departed this life Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Advent Health Gordon Hospital in Calhoun, Georgia, from covid-19.

Jeffrey was born March 12, 1958 in Rome, Georgia, to the late Edwin and Doshie Howell McDonald.  He was a 1976 graduate of Armurchee High School. He went on to study for a degree in Industrial Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Berry College in 1980. He also earned a master's degree in business management while in California.   After graduating with a Masters degree he then preceded to go into the military. Jeffrey enlisted in the Marines in 1981. He completed officer's academy and earned the rank of Major. Jeffrey was a survivor of the Desert Storm War, where he fought bravely and honorably for his brother in arms, his beloved country, and his loving family. Jeffrey was a true patriot and believed every man had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Jeffrey retired from Whitfield County Schools. He spent his free time with his grandchildren, fishing, watching movies, hunting and cooking. Jeffrey's greatest accomplishment was being a grandfather and he enjoyed being a wonderful roll model, a wise mentor, and compassionate man.  Jeffrey was an exceptional family man an provided joy, love, respect, and humor as a father, husband and grandfather.

In 1986, Jeffrey and Paige Smith married in Rome, Georgia.  Jeffrey and Paige went on to have their children, Christopher Shane, Morgan Taylor, 33, and Brooke Allyn 30, loving grandfather to Savannah Renae 9, and Emmett Daniel 7.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Shane McDonald, March 16, 2012, his father, Edwin McDonald, his mother, Doshie "Nannie" Howell McDonald.

He is survived by his wife, Paige Smith McDonald of the residence; daughters, Morgan Taylor McDonald, Brooke McDonald; grandchildren, Savannah Law and Emmett Law; sister and brother-in-law, Pamela and Jesse Wilson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Linda Smith; sister-in-law, Patricia Lackey; nephews, Aaron Wilson, Tyler Wilson and Lucus Lackey all of Rome, GA;

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Jeffrey Edwin McDonald will be held Thursday morning, February 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Ponders Calhoun Chapel with Pastor Joey Moates officiating.  Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. with his beloved son at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Aaron Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Arnold Gillman, Jason Meadows, Keith Stancill and Joey Jones honored to serve as pallbearers.  Military honors will be provided by Dalton American Legion Post #112.  The family will receive friends at Ponders Calhoun Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2022 and after 9:00 a.m. Thursday until the service hour.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.

Ponders Calhoun Chapel 675 Jolley Road Calhoun, Georgia

www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org