Dewey Charles McDonald Sr.

Dewey Charles McDonald, age 80, passed away on April 11, 2009, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash., surrounded by his loving family.

Dewey Charles McDonald, the son of Roberta Inez and Dewey Carter McDonald, was born on March 22, 1929, in lssaquena County, Miss. Dewey was the second of six children. He spent his childhood growing up in New Augusta and Hattiesburg, Miss. At the age of 16, he joined the Army Air CORE. In 1946, while serving in the Army Air CORE in Spokane, he met the love of his life, Fern Elizabeth Kemmerer. They were married on Nov. 1, 1947, and remained married for 55 years.

Dewey was a proud 20-year veteran of the Army Air CORE and United States Air Force. In 1947, he was transferred to Fort Frances Warren near Cheyenne, Wyo. He served in the Philippines in 1950 and in Korea for two years from 1951 until 1953. Dewey also was stationed at Parks Air Force Base in California, Keesier Field in Mississippi, Bentwaters Air Force Base in England, Condon Air Force Base in Oregon and the Othello Air Force Base. While serving his country, his main occupation was that of cook.

In 1964, the family settled in Othello, where Dewey served with the 637th at the Othello Air Force Base. Dewey retired from the Air Force in 1966 and the family continued to make their home in Othello. Following his retirement, Dewey was employed with the civil service. Fern and Dewey also became managers of the local Aladdin Motor Inn during the 1980s. In recent years, Dewey resided in Moses Lake with his youngest son Wayne and wife Mary.

Dewey was a very active and civic-minded person. His high energy was envied by all who knew him. He was president of the local Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and a past Grand Master of the Othello Masonic Lodge.’ He had many, many hobbies and interests. He raced stock cars with the Othello Stock Car Association. He delighted in raising many pigs, chickens and cows on his mini-farms in Othello and Moses Lake. He loved to plant huge gardens each year and share his bounty with friends and family. Dewey was also known for his wonderful barbecue, which he sold over the years at various barbecue stands around Othello.

Dewey is survived by four children: Marian Kaye Hanna and husband, John of Moses Lake; three sons, Dewey McDonald Jr. and wife, Sallie of Othello; Harry McDonald and wife, Kari of Othello; and Wayne McDonald and wife, Mary of Moses Lake; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, including three sets of great-grand twins; two brothers, Max McDonald of Florence, Colo., and Jerry McDonald of Raton, N.M.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Fern, in 2003, his brothers Ferris Eugene McDonald, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Thomas Merle McDonald, Del City, Okla., and one sister, Leta Pearl Laird, Jackson, Miss.

Dewey’s greatest treasures in life were his family. There was nothing he enjoyed better than time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and other family members. He loved to cook his famous barbecue dishes for them and enjoyed a great time of sharing his many stories.

A celebration of Dewey’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Othello Nazarene Church, 825 E. Ash. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel.