Ralph J. McDonald, Jr, 74 of Walton, passed away Friday morning, February 10, 2006, at home following a long illness.

Ralph was born in Downsville, on July 30, 1931, the son of the late Ralph J. and Frances Conklin McDonald Sr. He was a graduate of Downsville High School. On September 15, 1956 he married the former Florence F. Finch at the Methodist Parsonage, Walton. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was employed for many years in the maintenance department of SUNY Delhi as an electrician, retiring in 1993. Ralph's interests were many. He played baseball on the Hamden Polecats; he loved to hunt and fish; tend to his garden, raising vegetables and flowers; buying and selling antiques, often stripping and refinishing; visiting flea markets; traveling over the country; feeding the turkeys, deer, and chipmunks who would not be afraid of his presence, and eat out of his hand. He also loved to watch his grandsons, Branden & Cody play sports. He often went on the road, watching the Hartwick Football team play away games in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. He also loved his church. He was a member of the Walton First United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee, all around "handyman" and wreath maker at Christmas time. Ralph was an active and honorary member of the Walton Fire Dept. for over 25 years. He also was a member of the NRA.

He is survived by his wife: Florence F. McDonald, one daughter: Karen Gabriel of Delhi, 2 grandsons, Branden, and Cody Gabriel, and a cousin, Marilynn Lewis, Walton.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Saturday, February 11, 2006, from 6 to 8 PM at the Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St, Walton, where funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, with the Rev. Mark DelGuidice officiating. Burial will be in Paige cemetery in the spring.

Memorial contributions in Ralph's memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 101 North Street, Walton, NY 13856- or the Walton Fire Dept. 61 West Street, Walton.

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