Dr. James McDonald, 85

Dr. James McDonald of Grand Forks, North Dakota passed away on August 2, 2025, at Valley Senior Living at the age of 85. 
James Stanley McDonald was born July 17, 1940, to Archie and Ethel McDonald in Crookston, Minnesota. His early years were spent helping on the family farm with his father and his brother Jon. Jim attended Sacred Heart High School and upon graduation attended the University of North Dakota. He then went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota; It's here where he found and developed his true passion for dentistry. 
Jim married Sonya (Holm) in 1968. They welcomed 3 sons: James (JP), Peter and Chris. 
Jim loved dentistry and started his career in Cooperstown, ND. He then moved his practice to East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The highlight of his 49 year career was having his sons, Peter and Chris, join him in practice and JP as his dental supply representative. 
Jim had many interests, with family members always being first on his list. He loved time at the lake with his family and attending the many sports and activities of his sons and later his grandchildren. Jim was also an avid tennis player and spent many hours at Center Court honing his skills. After he retired, he enjoyed his summers on Long Lake and winters in Palm Desert, CA, where he could bike, play tennis, take long walks, and enjoy the beautiful weather. 
Jim can be most remembered for his humbleness, good nature and kindness. He carried these positive attributes throughout his life and even into his later years when he suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. His last years were spent at Edgewood Memory Care where he won the hearts of the staff. 
He is survived by his wife, Sonya; sons: JP (Jill), Peter (Heidi), Chris (Christin); grandchildren: Ryder, Max, Cullen, Bentlee, Preston, Murray, and Lanie; his sisters: Jan (Blane) Gaddie and Judy (Curt) Rupert, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Ethel McDonald, and his brother, Jon McDonald. 
A Memorial Service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN, on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:00am. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. 
If you should choose, memorials can be directed toward the Grand Forks Children's Museum at P.O. Box 1526 Grand Forks, ND 58206. 
Thank you to the staff at Valley Transitional Care and Valley Senior Living for the last two months, caring for Jim during his final days. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Edgewood Memory Care that took such great care of Jim. You became his bonus family for the past 2 years, and this long journey would have been much harder without all of you.