James W McDonald

James “Jim” William McDonald, son of the late William McDonald and Alda Cooley McDonald, was born on August 31, 1928, in Smithland Iowa. He graduated from Smithland High school in 1945. He went on to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and Morningside college in Sioux City, Iowa.

In September of 1946 at the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army in support of the World War II efforts. He attended basic training in Ft. Lewis Washington. He proudly served in numerous locations in the Pacific theater and was selected as a military police officer for the War Crimes Tribunal in Tokyo Japan under Company A in the 7th Army Division. It was there that he stood watch over military criminals accused of war crimes such as Hideki Tojo, Prime Minister of Japan. He talked often of his time there and considered it a privilege to have been part of history. He recorded numerous television interviews and newspaper articles for future generations to understand the history of World War II. He was awarded the World War II victory medal, and the Army occupation medal – Japan. He was considered one of this country’s “greatest generation” and was most recently recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs just two days before his death. He was also fortunate to attend Mission One: Honor Flight from Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2017.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home to run the family farm in Smithland, Iowa. He was active in the community, a member of the Smithland United Methodist Church, a member of the American Legion Smithland Post 666, the Blue lodge and the Oriental Band of the Abu Bekr Shrine of Sioux City. He married Patricia Stansbury in 1966. There he raised a family and enjoyed the farm life including raising corn, soybeans, and cattle. A doting and beloved father who never missed a game, concert or event in support of his two daughters. After retiring from farming, he pursued a career in real estate and joined the Homeland Realty company in Sioux City. He then moved to Denver Colorado to enjoy his grandchildren and watch them grow up. In recent years he had returned to Sioux City to enjoy his retirement.

Jim enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family and countless friends, sitting and visiting, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.

He is survived by his two daughters, Jill McDonald Lindgren of Denver Colorado and Amy McDonald of Vermillion, South Dakota. Two grandchildren, Jamie and his wife Julie “Banaszak” Lindgren of Elizabeth Colorado and Morgan Lindgren of Denver Colorado and two great-grandchildren Jace and James Lindgren, sons of Jamie and Julia Lindgren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, two sisters, Margot and Audrey and several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held at the home of his daughter Amy McDonald in Vermillion, South Dakota on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Friends and family are invited to come and “visit” as he so loved to do. A formal gathering will be held at a later date in Smithland, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Midwest Honor Flight. For obituary and online condolences, visit hansenfuneralhome.com