Skip to content

It is with a profound sense of sadness and loss that we announce the passing of John Ronald MacDonald early on January 8, 2010 at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm, ending a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

John (Ron) was born to Neil and Nell (Sugden) MacDonald at Broadview Saskatchewan on January 31, 1930 and moved to Greeley, then Revelstoke, British Columbia around age 5.

As young men do, he had many career attempts, shoveling sawdust, trainman with CP Rail, Merchant Marine in Vancouver. He enlisted with the Canadian Armed Forces Canadian Scottish Regiment in 1952. He was proud to become a member of the 2nd Battalion Black Watch and later transferred to the Canadian Signal Corps. His military career included 18 months in Korea, winters in the northern territories, Jamaica, Congo, Cyprus and more. John was a loyal member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was presented with the Medal of Military Merit by the Governor General of Canada.

His outstanding military career of 38 years culminated with Military Reserves and cadets including a substantial influence on the Cadet Corps at Revelstoke BC and Vernon Cadet Camp. After retirement from the armed forces, he enjoyed driving school bus in the Salmon Arm area.

John and his family had many moves and postings across Canada and a year in Germany. While stationed in Camp Aldershot in Nova Scotia, he met and married Shirley (Barkhouse) in 1953. They have two children, John (Cindy) at Golden BC and Pamela (Steve) at Victoria BC. There are five grandchildren, Ashley, Tracey, Scott, Sheena and Kaitlin and one great grandson, Benjamin.

John loved life and was a story teller. His passion was spending time with his grand children. His community involvement included various organizations and he participated in all levels of the Boy Scout movement and generally working with young people. Fun time was spent square dancing, curling, golfing, skiing, boating, and camping. John especially enjoyed his adventure of following David Thompson’s route over the Athabasca Trail from Edmonton through the Rockies to the head waters of the Thompson River in 1977.

John was predeceased by his father, mother and brother (Hugh). He is survived and greatly missed by his wife, children and their families, sister (Sheila) and nephews Douglas, Robert, Dennis, William, Tony and niece Stephanie.

The family offers a warm thank you to Dr Jack Beech for his exceptional caring over the years. We extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Bastion Place for their kindness and personal attention. Harmony Haven is also recognized for their significant contribution to the enrichment of John’s life.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium in Salmon Arm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Bowers Funeral Chapel on Saturday 16 January 2010 at 11 am. A burial will be arranged at a later date.

Please contribute to Parkinson Society British Columbia in lieu of flowers, 800 – 890 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1J9; www.parkinson.bc.ca

Email condolences may be sent to

sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.