Larry Keith Macdonald

Larry Keith Macdonald passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona surrounded by his loved ones.  Larry was born in El Paso, Texas on August 6, 1937, the son of Ernest Keith Macdonald and Ada Taylor Macdonald. He was the first of three children.

Larry and Joellen met in 1960 and got married on the 24^th of August.  Larry and Joellen built a beautiful life together.  On August 24, 2024, Larry and Joellen reached 64 years together.  Larry loved Joellen with his whole heart.  He encouraged her throughout their life together.

Larry was a man of honor and faith. He had the belief to teach his kids to stand strong and work hard.  He helped his kids to achieve their dreams and to dream big. Larry encouraged excellence in all those he came across.  Larry was an example of increasing love, faith, endurance, and intelligence.

Larry spent his youth in El Paso, Texas where his father worked for the Border Patrol Agency and Immigration Service and his mother was an elementary school teacher. He graduated from El Paso High School where he had been heavily involved in ROTC. Larry went to Brigham Young University in 1955.  Then he served a mission for two and a half years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Uruguay, South America.  He loved his time as a missionary for the church. Ultimately, Larry earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Texas Western University.  He earned a master’s degree in Accountancy from Brigham Young University.  He went on to become a Certified Public Accountant in Utah and California. With a strong belief in obtaining and increasing knowledge and additional education, Larry obtained a Ph.D. in Business Administration from The University of Utah.  Larry went on to obtain other certifications over his career including completing a six-week business course at Harvard.

Larry’s post-education work career began in San Francisco, CA as a CPA for Touche-Ross-Baily and Smart. Larry went on to work at the University of Texas in El Paso as a professor, where he taught business and accounting. Larry went to work at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions as the Program Director of Health Costs Management, where he was also given an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Health Care in the School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Hospital & Medical School. There he conducted research projects as well as taught in the schools.

Through Larry’s work and performance on his PhD dissertation which focused on computerized medical information and cost accounting, he was hired by one of the early evolving HMO companies in California, HMO International. Larry was appreciated by dental clinics throughout the LA area where he facilitated improvements to their business plans and overall success.

Larry and Joellen both agreed to venture out to New Orleans, Louisiana.  There Larry took a job to work as the Vice Chancellor of the Medical Center and VP of Finance and Human Resources at Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Hospital. There he pioneered a faculty practice plan, helped direct financing, and the building of the Tulane Hospital.  An interesting turn of events was that Larry’s second son attended the medical school where he had worked.

Larry was invited to move to Salt Lake City, Utah where he took a job working in the Operational Auditing Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This may have been Larry’s favorite job experience.  This was a special time where Larry worked closely with many of the modern-day General Authorities and other church leaders.  During an audit for the church in Brazil, Larry met a colleague who asked him to come to work in Mesa, Arizona as the Vice President of Real-Estate Finance, and Investment.  Mesa is where Larry and Joellen settled in for the last 40 years together and where they decided to plant their roots. Larry and Joellen buried they youngest daughter Amy at age 26 in the Mesa Cemetery. She was survived by her newborn son, Zachary Denton Macdonald, who was Larry’s youngest grandson.

During Larry’s life he served in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Serving gave Larry joy and great satisfaction.  Outside of his first mission, Larry and Joellen served a mission to the Mesa Family History Center, and they served in the Mesa Temple for years together. Larry served as a stake missionary in several locations. Larry was called as a bishop in New Orleans, Louisiana and Salt Lake City, Utah. He enjoyed teaching the gospel throughout his life and had a strong testimony of his Savior.

Larry loved and cherished his family.  He was happiest when surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family. Larry’s favorite game was to ask his family, “Guess What?” and to hear them say, “I LOVE YOUUUUU!”

Funeral Services  for Larry K. Macdonald will be Saturday August 31, 2024 at the LDS Chapel, 2618 N. Lindsay Road Mesa, AZ 83213 at 11:00 am. Interment will be Saturday August 31, 2024, at City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street Mesa, AZ 85201 at 1:30 pm.

For those unable to attend the funeral service will be live streamed.

Specific funeral link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jEO5rTwXI_E?si=CW__FH6NpFy4OH23

Mesa AZ Hermosa Vista Stake YouTube channel link:

https://youtube.com/@mesaazhermosavistastake3575?si=HN3tetS8X8pMCP6V

All are welcome.

FAMILY:

Larry is survived by his wife Joellen Kay Senne Macdonald; sons Eric Keith Macdonald (Liz),  Richard Kevin Macdonald (Kerri): daughters Laurie Jo Macdonald Smithson (Richard), Lisa Macdonald Holt, and Karyn Macdonald Parry (Sean); grandchildren Trenton James Smithson (Kenzie), Kelsi  Smith (Galin), Jolie Smithson (Cade), Katie Macdonald (Rick), Matthew Macdonald, Andrew Macdonald, Rachel Macdonald, Zachary Macdonald, Haley Johnson (Tysen), Payton Macdonald, Ryley Macdonald, Wyatt Macdonald, Taylor Holt (Ezra)  Morgan Constandse (Colin), Lexie Holt (Nathan), Holly Holt, Mackynzie Parry (Leo), and Kayla Snow (Chandler); great-grandchildren Teagan Smith, Ilianna Smithson, Indie-Rose Stewart, Brooks Millet, Shiloh Johnson, Colby Johnson, Everett Holt, Darcy Constandse, Bode Durkin, Lev Durkin and Hudson Snow.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.