Howard Edward McDonald

Howard Edward McDonald of Maryville, Tennessee was born December 28, 1932. He passed away peacefully on July 22, 2019 in Abilene, Texas. He is now in heaven, handing out candy to all the children. Howard was baptized on June 14, 1981 at Maryville Church of Christ in Maryville, Tennessee. He was a truly devoted husband and father. He is preceded in death by his parents Everett C. McDonald Sr. and Nellie Mae (Brown), sisters Julia B. Shepard and Rosemary Sharp, and his brother Clayton McDonald Jr. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 50 years, Joy McDonald, children: Brendia Stone and husband Frank, Robin Wymer and husband Mark, Jeannie McDonald, Brenda Rush and husband Terry, Joseph Breu and wife Theresa, Gina Maner and husband Craig and Linda Haynes and husband Rodney, grandchildren: Alex Thomason, Jeffery Stone and wife Vida, Samantha, Tiffany, and Mark Wymer, Shelby Jasper, Taylor Lehman and husband Chase, Rachel Foster and husband David, Laura Rush, Elizabeth and Anna Breu, Kirstie, Victoria, and Andrew Maner, Cody and Megan Haynes, five great-grandchildren: Isaac, Vineah, Jameson, Lincoln and Truman, his brothers: Robert McDonald and Wife Freda and Miller McDonald and wife Faye, his sisters: Genevieve Servey, Grace Sampson, Barbara Ooten, Betty Adkins, Anna Helmick, and too many nieces and nephews to mention, but all were loved dearly. He joined the United States Air Force in 1950 at the age of 17. He willingly and faithfully served his country for 20 years, completing 3 tours of duty, 2 of which were served in Vietnam during the war. He retired to Maryville, Tennessee and worked for the University of Tennessee for 30 years, retiring as a Captain in the police department. After retiring, he was called back to work for the University of Tennessee as a bomb technician as a result of the events of September 11, 2001. He was a faithful member of the Maryville Church of Christ where he was known as the Candy Man, greeting members and visitors alike with a smile and a piece of candy. In lieu of flowers, send donations to W.E.I. care of: Maryville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 5293, Maryville, Tennessee 37802-5293 The family will be receiving friends at Maryville Church of Christ on Monday, July 29, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. with the memorial immediately following. Family and friends will assemble for interment at Grandview Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Howard Edward McDonald please visit our Sympathy Store.