Funeral services for Kristopher Pete McDonald, 38, Topeka, will be 4 pm, Friday, October 18, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Inurnment will be 3 pm, Monday, October 21, at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. McDonald died Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born November 12, 1974 in Riverside, California to Pete Hoyt and Teresa Anne Fisher McDonald.
Mr. McDonald served in the United States Marine Corp as well at the United States Army National Guard. He was deployed five times, three in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, watching movies, playing frisbee golf, sports, shooting guns, swimming, and spending time outdoors.
Kristopher was a very giving person in life, as shown in his career choice. And was it is very evident that he was giving in death, being the first heart transplant donor at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He donated other organs as well.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Mitchell McDonald and wife Lisa of Linwood, KS, Michael McDonald of Topeka, KS; grandmother, Nancy Fisher of Lawrence, KS; cousins; and friends.
Friends may call from 9am to 8pm Friday, October 18, at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Kristopher Pete McDonald Memorial Fund, to help with funeral expenses.
RIP brother!!! It was an honor too serve along side with you. All who knew you will miss the fun times we had with you!!! Your family and friends are in my thoughts love you brother Semper Fi!!!
“Mac”….. I am kind of speechless. You are a reminder of how we should never be so busy to say “Hello” or “Goodbye” to our friends. I have great memories all the way back to the JFK, your rack was below mine. I have no idea why God called you home so soon? I suppose it’s not for me to understand? It’s strange because I looked for you a few months back only to find this. God Bless you, we will all meet again. I just wish it would have been on this side. “Semper Fi” brother. You are and will be missed.
You will be missed brother
Mac was my friend and brother. I remember many night after finishing flight ops or aircraft maintenance sitting on the flight line exchanging life stories. Kris turned me on to the music of Chris LeDoux. He was a great friend that I wish I was able to keep in contact with. I searched form years for news of him and was just thinking of him because of his birthday coming up when I heard of his passing. He touched so many lives and will always be remembered for his heart and memorable smile.
Until we me again, Semper Fidelis.
Kristopher Pete “Mac” McDonald
Mac, as we all called him, was one of the most fun loving, easy going, guys you would ever meet. When I first arrived at 251, he was one of the first in line to make me feel at home. He also took me under his wing to teach me the ropes. He was always so friendly and happy. He always had a smile on his face. If you ever did get mad at him, it wasn’t long before YOU were apologizing to HIM for being mad.
In 251 he was always the “old guy.” He was only 4 years older than me, but at the time it seemed like a decade. But he looked younger than us and acted younger than us, not in maturity but in his youthful energy. He could get out there and work circles around most of us. I remember during, “CAX” he and I went from jet to jet in a competition with the others loading 500 pound bombs one after the other. We worked well together and it made it easy. I was taller than he was, but he had more brute strength than I did. He got the front and I got the back. We worked so well together that is seemed like the bombs were only about 100 pounds.
During our first cruise together (JFK millennium cruise) I told him my life story and how I had screwed up and lost the love of my life. He was the one that convinced me to never give up on her. I have now called that woman my wife for almost 11 years and we have 2 wonderful children. I owe most of that to Mac, and a little to her for a high tolerance for asinine stupidity. During that cruise I also remember learning that I could actually sing a little. He helped me with it. We could harmonize perfectly. We spent a lot of downtime on the catwalk of the boat singing “American Made” by The Oak Ridge Boys. It might seem kind of silly, but we had a lot of fun. I don’t know if it was common knowledge, but he had a great voice and probably could have been a professional singer. That is actually some of my fondest memories of time spent with Kris.
I think Kris was the only Marine that I got to know so personally, that I knew about his life before The Corps. Anyone of our Marines I would readily give my life for without hesitation. That is the brotherhood of The Corps. Kris is the only one that I knew his first, middle, and last name by heart, along with where he was from. I even had the pleasure of meeting his brother, Mitch. To me, he became known as Kristopher Pete.
I wish I had kept in better contact with him over the years. I actually thought of Kris not too long ago and thought of contacting him, but didn’t. I will regret that until we meet again. Oh how we let life get in the way of what is truly meaningful and important.
There are 2 men in my life, both Marines, that I had wished were my brothers. Kris was the first of them. Even though we were not brothers in blood or on paper, make no mistake about it, he was, and will ALWAYS be, my brother and friend.
Rest in Peace Mac. My friend. My brother. My fellow Marine. I’ll see you on the other side.
SEMPER FIDELIS! OOH-RAH!!!!
You will be missed Kris!
Thank you “Mac” for all the good times and knowledge you installed in me while I’m VMFA-251. To all of his family and friends I’m sorry for your loss. We have lost a great man and friends to all who were lucky to know him. May he be in living arms and remembered for all he has done.
Kris, you were a friend to everyone. One of the most kind hearted people that I have ever met. Even though we have lost contact over the years I will remember the talks we’ve had. You will be missed my friend. God bless and rest in peace.
To his family I would like to say ‘God bless’ to you all and may the Lord comfort you and put your heart at peace.
Heart breaking news, just found out tonight that you were gone. It has been many years since we had the joy of speaking with one another, but you are always in my heart. You treated me like a brother as soon as we met and I have missed you since we parted ways. I will never forget you and what you had provided me to become a successful Marine. Semper Fi brother, rest easy.
Mike, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother Kris. My heart goes out to you and your family. Leigh Anne and I are thinking of you —
Kris, I’m shocked to hear of your passing, I’m heart broke for Mitch and the rest of your family. I hadn’t seen you guys in many years but we had so many fun times when we were kids. You will be missed brother, see you on the other side!
I am so sorry for your lost and know the world feels the emptiness from losing such a young soul . My heart and prayers are with you as you grieve
My heart aches for your family.So much loss. I will always remember Kris, Mitch, Brandy Buckle and Ivy when they were kids hanging at POP’s and all the joy they shared with us.
to all whom knew kris im sorry for your loss. i went to school with both kris and mitch with they first moved to town. to mitch im so sorry for your loss. much love to you mitch.
You and Mitch were two of the first friends I made when I moved to town….You were such a genuine friend….always had a smile….When we crossed paths this year online it gave me a chance to tell my wife about the memories I had of skateboards, motorcycles, sneaking out at night and the city pool with Kris and Mitch…Man, we will miss you buddy.
Mitch….My Prayers are with you. I’m saying this with a heavy heart. May the Lord be with you in this time of unimaginable loss.
Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
Someone so special can never be forgotten.
In honor and remembrance.If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. A dear friend who was always so kind, funny,and giving. A great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Helms Family
What an honor to have been a friend.
To Mitch, Mickey, Teresa, and Nikki– friends and family. I’m so sorry.
Kris will be sorely missed in life but never forgotten. We had some memorable times together. The times yet to of come hurt…
jlk
You will be missed, brother.
My heart will forever be broken. I will never stop missing you.
I didn’t get to see my cousin Kris much but I know he was a good person and I will miss him dearly. My prayers go out to my Family. Especially my aunt Teresa, For I know how painful it is to lose your child because I lost mine 6 months ago. Prayers to all. I love you Kris.
I am very proud of my nephew he was a understanding person if he could help you he would. I will miss him. My heart and prayers go out to his family. Mitch,Michael and his loving Mother,(my sister)Love you all.
My heart and prayers go out for you all. Many years ago Mitch and Chris came over several times and visited with my late husband and I, we always enjoyed the visits so much. Chris served his country well, and I know we are all proud of him. If there is anything I can do, just let me know.
So sad when someone is taken way too young. Hadn’t seen Kris in years, but we had many fun times when we were younger. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends. Mitch, I am so sorry. Prayers.
Kris, your passing has reminded us to give more, expect less, hug people you love every chance you have. In life you were a fun loving awesome person who served our country with pride one of our hometown heroes! In death you are still our hometown hero but a angel in the eyes of lives you helped by your last gift of kindness! In your honor I will try each day to be a good person and kind! Oorah, until we see each other again! Love you friend!
My heartfelt condolences to his family and those friends that were like his family! May his spirit live on in our laughter
He touched the lives of so many.
Kris was such a great guy, very generous and very caring. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know kris over the past few months and i had for saw a long lasting friendship. I’m thankful i got to share life and growth with kris, he had qualities that i wished i had. He will be missed and i’m great-full that i meet him. I want his family to know that i’m sorry for their loss. much love
So sorry for your loss