Roland D. McDonald, 72, of McGaheysville, Va., departed this earth for his eternal heavenly home on August 27, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. Roland was born in Rockingham County and was the youngest child of Lurtie David and Edith Life McDonald both of whom preceded him in death. Roland was extremely close to his siblings after losing his mother at the young age of 17. For over 40 years, holidays were spent with his siblings Ward McDonald, Gaye Hume, and Gloria Myers who all preceded him in death as well as his in-laws James Hugh and Eunice Wyant Lilly.

Roland graduated from Montevideo High School In 1972. In 1974, he received an Associate’s Degree from Blue Ridge Community College in Machine Shop. As a young adult and still in school, he worked for Elkton IGA and Rockingham Coop Farm Bureau. He also worked on several local farms making hay. Later, he worked at DuPont in Waynesboro. Roland eventually went to work at Merck & Co. in Elkton where he held various roles in maintenance. He was an active member of the ICWU Local 94C Union and Merck Rod and Gun Club. Roland retired from Merck in 2011 with 35 years of service.

In May 1976, he married the love of his life, Judy Lilly McDonald. They enjoyed 48 inseparable, wonderful years together. Together, they raised three amazing daughters, Pamela Monger (husband Mark), Kristie Grant, and Jennifer McDonald. He was a proud granddaddy and pawpaw to Jordan Lilly (wife Jillian), Kinslea Grant, Landry Grant, and Kallie McDonald, as well as two great-grandchildren, Ainsleigh Lilly and Hunter Lilly. He was a perfect role model of what a husband and father should be to his family.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is also survived by his three brothers-in-law, Robert Hume, Roger Myers, and James Lilly (wife Melanie). His two spoiled cats Mia and Sassy will also miss him terribly.

Roland was a big hunter and fisherman. He had many close friends over the years with whom he shared many memories and adventures. Roland and Judy enjoyed life to the fullest, which included traveling to many different countries. They enjoyed cruises, riding motorcycles with their friends to rallies, bike weeks in Daytona and Myrtle Beach, and weekend trips. A highlight of Roland’s motorcycle adventures was riding to Sturgis, South Dakota with two of his buddies. Roland and Judy enjoyed many winter trips to Florida, attended Nascar races, camping, and attending UVA football games just to name a few. Both Roland and Judy were always in attendance at their daughter’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and went on various field trips with their children and grandchildren. Roland enjoyed the summer months with his family by the pool while grilling hamburgers and hotdogs. He loved to pick and play practical jokes on his friends and family which will also be greatly missed. His friends will tell you he was always the life of the party, being the first to arrive and the last to leave, never turning down an invitation.

Roland was a member of Mt. Olive Brethren Church in Pineville, but recently had been attending Mt. Olivet Christian Church in McGaheysville, Va.

The funeral will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, Va. at 2 p.m. officiated by Pastor Wayne Wright and Dr. Fred Miller. Family visitation will be Thursday, August 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, Va. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in McGaheysville, Va.

Roland endured and conquered many, many health crises in his adulthood. Many of those medical issues arose from polycystic kidney disease, passed down for at least five generations from his mother’s side of the family. He was an avid advocate for living kidney donors since he himself received a kidney for transplant from his daughter Jennifer in 2009, extending his life for many years.

If you so desire, donations can be made to the PKD Foundation in memory of Roland. His daughter and family members will participate in the PKD Walk in Washington, D.C. on September 21st. You can find her fundraising page on Facebook under a post on Kristie Grant’s page. You may also send donations to Mt. Olivet Christian Church, c/o Steve Tate, 38 Mt. Olivet Church Road in memory of Roland.

Roland drew closer to God near the end, praying to stay with his family and healing, but we are confident that now he realizes that God’s perfect plan for him was what was best for him and all of us who loved him so dearly.

Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Terry Overby for his many years of caring for Roland and to Sentara Hospice for their care at his home during this past month.