Charles "Chuck" Thomas McDonald, 77, was born in St. Louis on April 19, 1947, to C. Peter McDonald and M. Geraldine (Macauley) McDonald and peacefully passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Beloved husband of Mimi McDonald (nee Jedlicka); dear brother to Mary Jo (the late Don) Olthoff, the late Tommy (Laura) McDonald, Peggy (the late Tom) Taylor, Nancy (the late Steve) Sexton and Betsy (Kevin) Moore; Beloved brother-in-law to Liz (Mark) Springer; Therese (Keith) Parker; Joseph (Melissa) Jedlicka III; Frank (Danielle) Jedlicka. Beloved uncle to Daniel (Melissa) Olthoff; John Olthoff; Amy (Steven)Truitt; the late Sarah (Ryan) Stout; the late Tim McDonald; Brendan (Danielle) McDonald; Maureen (Joe Maddock) McDonald; Tommy (Laura) Taylor; Michael (Jennifer) Taylor; CJ (the late Amber) Taylor; Sean (Rachel Ryan) Sexton; Kevin (Laura) Sexton; Connor Sexton; Kerry Sexton; Kyle (Caroline) Moore; Aidan (Ashley Stradinger) Moore; Uncle-in-law to Marc Mund; Tom (Lisa) Bullock; Brian Bullock; John (Emily) Jedlicka; Joseph (Megan) Jedlicka, IV; Allison Jedlicka; Logan Jedlicka; Reese Jedlicka. Grand uncle to 18 nieces and nephews; Grand Uncle-in-law to 5. Our dear cousin to numerous McDonalds, Macauley's, Jamese's, Ropers, Boyles, and Schmidts.

Chuck was born in St. Louis, along with his twin, Mary Jo, but spent his first 19 years in Darlington, WI. He was the eldest of six children, that included three !! twin sisters, another sister and one brother. After graduating high school, Chuck went into the Army (03/1967-02/1969) and had the good fortune to be stationed in Berlin, Germany. He was so proud of his Irish heritage that he had the first of three visits to Ireland while stationed there. Upon his discharge, Chuck moved to St. Louis to be with his parents and siblings. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. In 1969, he met Mimi, through his brother Tom, and that was the first step to a 50-year marriage. They lived in San Jose, CA, for over 49 years. Chuck was a real estate appraiser for the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office, where he enjoyed his work and made many lifelong friends.

Mimi and Chuck's life together was full of travel, sandy beaches, great friends, tasty food and multiple adult beverages. Chuck was the adventuresome sort. At age 19, he and his brother, Tom, took his canoe and paddled for 13 days from Dubuque, IA to Golden Eagle, IL on the Mississippi River. He and Mimi enjoyed many trips to Puerto Escondido, Mexico with friends in a single engine Cesna. They enjoyed camping on the west coast and in the Sierras, as well as Oregon, Washington, Mexico and Canada which filled the years with fun and memorable times. Other fun-filled destinations included Europe, South America, Central America, Australia and New Zealand. Their later enjoyment in taking world cruises was evident in the number of tee shirts Chuck has collected. Chuck rode trains on four continents, most times encouraging Mimi to join him, where new cultures, geography, history and people influenced them both.

Reading was a favorite hobby of Chuck's, at one time owning over 1500 books, many of which were WWII history, biographies and autobiographies. Also, he was a pirate in California, just ask any family member. No one was a stranger to Chuck. He could walk into any bar or restaurant and make friends with just one joke or one compliment (to females only). His jokes were always pertinent to the topic at hand, mostly G-rated, and always well received with laughs and/or groans.

Proud to be a Veteran, Chuck was a member of the American Legion Post 99 in Campbell, CA, where he was voted in as Post Historian because of his interest in WWII and military history. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, James Marshall Chapter #49. ECV (a historical drinking society or drinking historical society) is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserve Western Heritage, in particular that of the Mother Lode gold mining regions of the Sierra Nevada and other areas. Chuck loved his family first, his friends second and his new acquaintances third. He lived his life his way. Happily, his was a fun and full life, but we wish it could have continued a little longer. May Chuck rest in peace and may we fondly remember him forever.

Visitation Sat., Jan. 18, from 9:30-11 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. at Little Flower Church, 1264 Arch Terrace, Richmond Heights, MO 63117. Luncheon at Little Flower School after Mass. Private Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mother of Good Counsel Home, 6825 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home www.osfuneralhomes.com