Charles McDonald

Charles Donald McDonald, Jr., 89, “Charlie”, went to be with his Lord and Savior on the morning of July 29, 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the presence of his loving wife.

Charlie was born in Athens, Georgia on July 23, 1937. He graduated from Athens High School and Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Georgia, in 1959, where he served as Company Commander and in the Scabbard & Blade Honor Military Society. He matriculated to the Medical College of Georgia, obtaining his MD and admission to the AOA Honor Medical Society. In 1960, while attending medical school, he met and married the love of his life Janet Whitfield of Aiken, South Carolina. The couple moved to Baltimore for a one year internship and, subsequently relocated to New Orleans for 6 years, where he served in the Public Health Service and completed his residency. In 1970, they moved to the Chattanooga area, first living on Missionary Ridge, then Elder Mountain and finally on Lookout Mountain where they finished raising their three sons and spent the latter 42 years of their 66 year marriage.

Charlie established a private cardiology practice at the Diagnostic Center on McCallie Avenue. During more the 40 years of practicing cardiology , Charlie became a respected leader in his field. He was a compassionate physician who was deeply loved by his patients and devoted his life to caring for others. His dedication to service extended well beyond his practice. He generously participated in charitable medical work and frequently traveled to Haiti to provide care to those in need.

He served for many years as an elder at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church and was a leader for more than 20 years in a bible study called the Dead Theologians Society. His hobbies included playing blue grass music with his band, Wood, Hay and Stubble, golfing, and spending time with his children and grandchildren on beach vacations in Charleston, South Carolina and ski vacations in Snow Bird, Utah.

Charlie was preceded in death by his son Timothy Whitfield McDonald, and his parents, Kathleen Henderson McDonald and Charles Donald McDonald, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Janet Whitfield McDonald, and his sons, Charles Donald McDonald III (Hillary) of Brentwood and David Patrick McDonald (Chris) of Chattanooga. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth McDonald Moore (Michael) of Lookout Mountain, Timothy Whitfield McDonald II (Caroline) of Lookout Mountain, Sophia McDonald of Lookout Mountain, Laura McDonald Pettit (Lucas) of Graysville, Georgia, David Patrick McDonald II, of Chattanooga, Charles Donald McDonald IV (Anna) of Nashville, Anna Courtney McCormick (Nick) of Carlsbad, California, Robert Allen McDonald of Chattanooga, Gabriel Scott McDonald (Kristin) of Rossville, Georgia, and Luke Randall McDonald (Jayda) of Chattanooga.

He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren: Colton Moore, Stella Moore, Levi Pettit, Asher Pettit, Opie Pettit, Theo McDonald, Leo McDonald, Emerlynn McDonald, Elliot McDonald, Judah Young, Violet Young, Charlie McDonald, Nick McCormick and Maverick McDonald.

Charlie will be lovingly remembered for his steadfast faith, generous heart, compassionate care for others, and the respect he showed to everyone he encountered. His life of faith, service, and devotion leaves a lasting legacy for his family, patients, church, and community.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 4, from 11 am to 1 pm at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will follow at 1 pm in the sanctuary, officiated by Reverends Brian Salter and Frank Hitchings. A private burial for the family will take place at 2:15 pm. The service will be live-streamed on lmpc.org. Family and friends are invited to gather for a reception at the Lookout Mountain Golf Club from 2 to 4:30 pm.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements