Dr. Stephen Thomas McDonald

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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June 15, 1952 – Oct. 2, 2015

NEWELLTON, La. — Graveside services for Dr. Stephen Thomas “Tommy” McDonald, who died Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, La.

Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Tommy was born June 15, 1952, in Shreveport, La., the first child of W.B. “Brother” McDonald and Mary J. McDonald.

Tommy grew up on and around his family’s farm in Newellton. He was a 1970 graduate of Newellton High School and went on to attend Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans.

After finishing his residency, Tommy moved back to north Louisiana to practice family medicine. His first practice was in Ferriday, then Vidalia and Natchez.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Patricia Lee Crain McDonald and his father, Brother McDonald.

Survivors include his mother, Mary J. McDonald of Newellton; two children, Stephen T. McDonald II and wife, Mary Katherine, of Natchez and Mary Kate Farrell and husband, Mike, of Surrey, United Kingdom; two grandchildren, Stephen Thomas McDonald III and Nathan Conner McDonald; one brother, William McDonald and wife, Sue, of Newellton; one sister, Sarita Von Springer and husband, Mirek, of Plano, Texas; and a number nieces and nephews scattered across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

As an individual and a physician, Tommy believed in human dignity and the sanctity of life. He will be missed by all that knew him, but his friends and family know that he is free from pain and at peace.

The family wishes to thank the first responders from Tensas Parish and the staff at Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday for their efforts on Tommy’s behalf in his time of need.

The family also asks that any memorials be made to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.