Michael McDonald

Michael Scott McDonald, from Traverse Mountain, Lehi, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of October 14, 2024. For two years he fought a rare neurological condition called MSA (Multiple Systems Atrophy of the Cerebellum). He is preceded in death by his mother Shirley Jeannine (Hatch) McDonald and Henry Armstrong McDonald. Scott was born in Van Nuys, California on June 26, 1956. He married Susan Merle (Wright) McDonald in the Oakland, California temple on October 16, 1993. They had a happy and loving marriage for 30 years. 

Scott was an exceptional father of five children; Eric Henry McDonald (married to Merrilee Anne McCombs) Casey Jillaine McDonald (married to Steve Rodriguez), Russell Jay McDonald, Heather Jeannine McDonald (married to Andrew Dagen Jefferies), and William Thane McDonald. He is survived by his wife Susan, all his children, and his grandchildren; Felicity Emma McDonald, Andrew Thomas McDonald, Joshua Henry McDonald, Benjamin Matthew McDonald, Oliver Joseph McDonald, Edward Peter McDonald, Lucy Evelyn McDonald, Henry Scott Jefferies, Oliver Rowan Jefferies, Theodore James Jefferies, Lily Anne McDonald, and Serafina Liu Rodriguez. Scott is also survived by his brother and sisters, Rodger Armstrong McDonald, Joyce McDonald (Johnson), Dawn Denise McDonald (Dennis), and all their children. 

Scott was the founder and CEO of Scott McDonald and Associates (Later Doctor Demographics), a marketing company that researched placing small businesses in locations most advantageous to their growth. He thought of being a father as his greatest work. Scott loved working in his church and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the local Seventies Quorum leaders, in Bishoprics, in Stake Councils, and taught Gospel Doctrine in many wards. He was especially loved as a teacher. Scott was proud to complete his Master's Degree in Communications from Brigham Young University in 2015. He taught at Utah Valley University as an adjunct professor. He very much enjoyed helping young students see a vision of their future careers in Communications. He loved reading and gardening. He made his backyard a fruit orchard for his grandchildren. Funeral services for Scott were held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Highland Cemetery Lone Peak Chapel on the premises overseen by Anderson and Sons, Mortuary.