Michael John McDonald
March 14, 1949 - February 24, 2024
Obituary
Michael John McDonald, born in Seattle, Washington on March 14, 1949, passed away February 24, 2024 with his wife by his side. He was the 2nd of three sons born to John Cunningham and Kathleen Louise (Mathison) McDonald. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Anne Varner, several cousins, and many cherished in-laws, including his 98 year old mother-in-law, Willa Jane (Wolff) Varner. His beloved parents and two brothers, Gary Earl and Bruce Allen, preceded him in death.
Mike’s character was formed as he grew up in Seattle and on Pike’s Peak in Bellevue, Washington. He grew from a child fascinated by animals of all kinds and a love for nature, to proficiency at horseback riding, camping, skiing, hunting, and swimming, and into an intelligent, compassionate listener, widely-read (especially history), thoughtful, honest, stubborn, direct man and loyal friend. He was adventurous and sometimes pushed the boundaries, such as seeing how fast a car could go, and survived the lessons learned along the way. Mike especially enjoyed and valued the pack horse camping he did with his father into wilderness areas. He graduated from Sammamish High School and the University of Washington in Forest Management. He met several lifelong friends during his school years. Mike did extensive world wide travel in his teenage years and early 20s, taking advantage of low fares available to him as the son of a Pan Am Airways pilot. He found, in travels to Europe, India, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Bali and other countries, the Taj Mahal to be magical and aptly described as one of the seven wonders of the world. He hitchhiked across the United States. Musically Mike loved the blues masters and classic rock. Mike read extensively, often citing the line “Attention, Attention” from Aldous Huxley’s book “Island,” in which mynah birds fly around calling out this line to remind people to pay attention to the here and now.
Mike had two careers, the first, as a forester working primarily in Oregon. He became a skilled timber faller. In the summer of 1976, he met the love of his life and future wife, Phyllis, also a forester, cruising timber for the U.S. Forest Service in the Mount Hood National Forest out of the Dufur, Oregon Ranger Station. They started their lives together January 15, 1977, eventually marrying. During these early years, Mike and Phyllis enjoyed wilderness backpacking and fly fishing.
Before starting his second career, Mike and Phyllis did extensive traveling. They drove the ALCAN Highway through British Columbia, the Yukon to Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Ketchikan, Alaska – living out of their canopied truck as winter set in and visiting family and friends along the way. They moved to Costa Rica, living in Escazu for 7 months while exploring the country’s beaches, mountains and jungles and journeying into Nicaragua and Panama. Mike and Phyllis became relatively proficient in Spanish and found that rubber boots and a good antivenom kit for poisonous snakes, like the fer-de-lance, rattlesnake and coral, were necessary accessories during this time of exploration.
Upon returning to the U.S., Mike and Phyllis moved to the Seattle area. He began his second career as a federal officer, retiring in 2009 after 25 years from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. During these years, Mike and Phyllis developed a five acre parcel on a bluff above the Cedar River in Maple Valley. In 1997, they moved to a home on ten forested acres at the 1100 foot elevation in Preston, WA where they happily remained. Mike and Phyllis shared the home with cherished cats and wildlife. Mike valued time spent with family and friends and he and Phyllis traveled widely, including Scotland (mother’s ancestral home is on the Isle of Mull), England, France and Italy.
Although uncomfortable with small talk, Mike’s kindness, sense of humor, imagination, astute discussions, honesty and directness were valued by family, friends and work colleagues. He was especially loved by children of family and friends as he wove fantastical tales off the cuff for them, such as the Beach Yeti and Mad Dog Steve.
After retirement, Mike and Phyllis spent a month traveling the breadth of Egypt. They visited Mexico for extended periods. In foreign countries, he had engaging conversations with locals, surprised at his knowledge of their country’s history and culture. Mike had heart bypass surgery in January 2020 and never fully regained his prior vigor; though he split wood and felled trees up to 2023. Mike and Phyllis cherished the time on their land during and after the pandemic. He passed away due to heart disease.
Mike donated to many causes, such as Doctors without Borders and Wounded Warriors Project. He was an organ donor and will be responsible for two people regaining their sight and for helping burn victims, breast cancer reconstruction efforts and wounded warriors. Phyllis thanks the ICU doctors and staff at Overlake and Swedish Cherry Hill Hospitals for their care of Mike and for visits and emotional support from friends during Mike’s time in ICU, including Steve and Lorraine Ekholm, David and Gabrielle Herring, Dave and Barb Casella, Omar and Zarmine Nuri, Chris Dreaney, and Lyndel Peters.
“Come, my beloved; let us walk amidst the knolls, …” (The Life of Love by Kahlil Gibran). Michael John is adored and sorely missed by Phyllis, his wife of 47 years, his family and dear friends. In addition to his mother-in-law, Willa, his family of in-laws includes Willa and George Tanabe, Marjorie and Jim Dwyer, Donna and Dennis O’Brien and Kenneth Varner and his late wife JoEllen, and their families.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held Sunday, April 28th at 1 pm at the Jim Ellis Preston Community Center, 8625 310th Avenue SE Preston, WA 98050.
Such a beautiful tribute to a man who seems to have embraced life to its fullest, finding meaning and profundity, and sharing it with others. Phylis, my thoughts are with you and all who knew and loved Michael.
Marianne Davis
A perfectly written tribute to a wonderful man who brought love, joy and adventure to the life of my beloved cousin
Beautiful tribute to one of the best people Dave and I have had the pleasure of knowing and sharing so many good times with. With love always, Dave and Barbara Casella
A couple unlike any other. What a magical ride with so many truly amazing memories. A special tribute to a special and kind man.
We miss you Michael
Phyllis we Love you!
What a wonderful, adventurous, amazing life you two had together! Love to you, Phyllis