March 30, 2022, 85, Goldsboro –
Robert Lamont McDonald, 85, passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center, Goldsboro, NC.
Robert was born in Wayne County to the late Ralston Lattimore McDonald and Arah Keen McDonald. Graduating from Grantham High School in 1955, he was Valedictorian of his Senior Class. While in high school, Robert was active in the Future Farmers of America as well as sports, especially basketball. The Grantham High School Team that Robert was a part of won the Wayne County Championship in 1955. Robert was an active member of Falling Creek United Methodist Church and the Methodist Youth Fellowship.
He graduated with honors from North Carolina State University and obtained his Master’s from North Carolina State in Mechanical Engineering. Robert enjoyed a career as a Process Engineer, working in the areas of Product Development, Process, and Quality Control at the Dacron Plant (formerly the DuPont Company) in Kinston, NC. He retired as a Senior Research Engineer with 38 years of service.
Robert was a former member of Queen Street United Methodist Church in Kinston, NC, where he was an active choir member, Sunday school teacher, and member of the Administrative Board.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia during the Cuban Crisis and was promoted to First Lt., having been encouraged to make the Army his career because of his leadership qualities. Robert was promoted to Captain in the Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1965.
Robert will lay in state on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Falling Creek Community Church, 299 Falling Creek Church Road, Goldsboro. A service to celebrate Robert’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Pastor Greg Moser officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the church cemetery.
Robert is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ellen Porter McDonald; two sons, David Robert McDonald and fiancée, Marcia Jarrell and Gary Porter McDonald and wife, Christine Schryer McDonald. He is also survived by grandchildren, Nathan Keen McDonald and wife, Betty, Madelyn Rose McDonald, Christin Tew, Megan McDonald Sandner and husband Aaron, and Brandon Scot McDonald. He is also survived by and was proud of his great-grandson, Weston Sandner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Robert’s memory to Falling Creek Community Church, 299 Falling Creek Church Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530; Grantham Fire Department, 3430 U.S. Hwy. 13 South, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or to the Wayne County Animal Shelter, 1600 Clingman Street, Goldsboro, NC 27534.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
