Ernest Mcdonald

Ernest (Ernie) McDonald died peacefully February 1st, 2022 after a brief hospital stay due to a fall. He was born November 5th 1927 to Harriett (Foss) and Leo Paul McDonald in Denver, Colorado.

Ernie attended Englewood High School and was active in football, basketball and baseball. He attended college in Greeley but was soon called to service for WW II.  He spent almost two years in the army, stationed in Japan as a radio operator, with ground to ship communication. He received a World War Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal. He returned home to Denver on Christmas Day, 1947.

After his return home, he played baseball in a regional, traveling league, a bowling league and thought of becoming a professional golfer, a sport he learned and grew to love while stationed in Japan.

He went to work for Montgomery Wards and was a warehouse manager at the location on South Broadway. It was there that he would retire, some fifty years later.

Ernie was an active member of the Englewood Elks Lodge and served as its treasurer for many years. He and his wife Orlena enjoyed traveling and working at the lodge, as well as spending time in their Denver home.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Orlena (Wally) McDonald of Denver, daughter Nancy McDonald, Centennial, sisters Loretta Harmon of Denver and Marion Palmer of Riverside, California. Stepson, Howard Fry (Debbie), Stepdaughter Bonnie Searl (deceased) (Ty), grandchildren Amber Lombardi and Christopher Fry, plus nieces and nephews.

Ernie loved sports, playing in his younger years and always watching, especially the Denver Broncos. He was a season ticket holder since the 1960’s and got to see the team play in Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, 1988, along with his daughter Nancy.  “ My dad invented picture in picture, long before it’s time in that he would have two television sets on, side by side, so he could watch two games at once.”