Mr. James E. McDonald, Jr., 87, of Fayetteville, Arkansas departed this life on Tuesday evening, August 2, 2011 at the Circle of Life Hospice Care Center in Springdale, Arkansas after a brief illness. James entered this life on August 10, 1923 in Temple, Oklahoma born to the union of the late James Elbert McDonald, Sr. and Nobia McDonald. He was raised in Temple, Oklahoma where he graduated high school in the class of 1941. He enlisted in the United States Navy serving his country from 1942 until 1945. James received his engineering degree from Oklahoma State University in 1949. He began his petroleum career with the Lee C. Moore Pipeline Production Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was employed for several years as a petroleum engineer with Amoco Petroleum working in Ft. Worth, Odessa and Midland, Texas. In 1968 he started with Amoco International establishing oil production in the Middle East, Indonesia, Europe and Asia. He retired in 1983 and purchased a farm in Fayetteville, Arkansas. James enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing the harmonica and was a member of the Cross Baptist Church in Springdale, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son in-law, Michael Wayne Dawson, Sr.; a sister, Geraldine Murphy; and a stepson, Alex Bonus. On July 17, 1983 he was united in marriage to Concepcion "Connie" Guevarra and she survives of the home. Additional survivors include his two children, Gay Lynne Dawson of Sarcoxie, Missouri and James Scott McDonald of Tecumseh, Oklahoma; three stepchildren, Ronald Bonus of Santiago City, Philippines, Irvin Bonus of Hawaii and Bambi Encarnacion of Fullerton, California; three grandchildren, April Ruth McDonald, Nathan James Dawson and Michael Wayne Dawson, Jr.; fifteen step grandchildren; ten step great grandchildren; a sister, Doris Burden of Huntsville, Alabama; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends. A private family service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri with burial following in the Sarcoxie Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Sarcoxie Senior Center located on the square in downtown Sarcoxie. Memorials are being directed to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.