September 13, 2022, 85, Goldsboro –

I. Ray McDonald, at the age of 85, passed away quietly and peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning, September 13, 2022, while he was in the capable and compassionate care of Kitty Askins Hospice Center.

Mr. McDonald, a native of Goldsboro, was the son of the late Woodrow Irvin McDonald and Virginia “Jink” Carter McDonald, and he was their only child. For over 50 years, he served in Wayne County and eastern North Carolina. Perhaps most notable was his service as a long-time mayor, town manager, and member of the town board for the Town of Mount Olive. He also served as a Wayne County Commissioner and was on many boards, committees, and club memberships. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive, was retired from Scope Services, a subcontractor for Duke Power Co, had been past owner and operator of Summerlin Electric Service, and was a strong supporter of the University of Mount Olive, at which the Track, Field, and Lacrosse complex are named in his honor. He was awarded the Corner Stone Award by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Mike Easley. Mr. McDonald was a co-founder of the Mount Olive Boys Club, and very active in the Boy Scouts of America where both of his sons earned their Eagle Scout Award. He was currently serving as the Chairman of the Mount Olive Housing Authority.

Mr. McDonald was truly a servant of the people and the fine communities which surrounded him.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma Carole Summerlin McDonald, of the home; two sons, Irvin Ray McDonald, Jr., and wife, Maria, of Mount Olive, and William Michael Lee McDonald and wife, Dawn, of Goldsboro; and three grandchildren, Mollie Catherine McDonald Moser and husband, Ellis Moser, of Raleigh, Lee McDonald of Wilmington, and Will McDonald of Goldsboro. Also surviving him are his beloved brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Daniel Clayton “D.C.” Summerlin and Suzi Summerlin, of Roanoke, Va.

Along with his own parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clayton and Norma Rae Alphin Summerlin, beloved Mount Olive residents.

The McDonald family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive (corner of North Church and East James Streets) on Thursday, September 15, beginning at 3:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery after the service. Officiating will be Dr. H. Dennis Draper, Jr. and the Rev. Michael Binger.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts may be made to:

The service is open to the public, but  will also  be live-streamed and may be viewed at this link: 

https://m.facebook.com/First-United-Methodist-Church-Mount-Olive-1446780498890734/

Arrangements are with Tyndall Funeral Home.