Russell F. McDonald was born on January 31, 1947, to Mrs. Eunice Rae Nelson and Thomas Floyd McDonald in DeFuniak Springs, Florida at Walton County Hospital. He was a graduate of Crestview Senior High school. After graduation, he joined the Marines. Shortly after joining the Marines, he was sent to Vietnam where he completed one tour. After the Marines, he enlisted in the Army. He completed eight years in the Army and then enlisted in the national guard Army where he served for 20 years. During that time, he worked at Whitehurst funeral home and drove an 18-wheeler cross country. He enjoyed many outdoor activities.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing,  working outdoors in his yard and helping his neighbors with their yard work.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Eunice McDonald, brothers Robert and Thomas Rae McDonald, and sister Faye Cadenhead.
He is survived by his daughter Holly (Robert)Adams, son Rusty, McDonald, sisters, Emily (Gerald) Maloy and Sue Hooks, and brother Dean (Georgann) McDonald, grandsons, Ethan, and Aaron (Leslie) Adams, and great granddaughters Paisley, and Everleigh Adams as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 5 to 7 PM at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home. Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 2 PM. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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