New Iberia - Funeral services will be conducted for Mr. Henry Harding "Slim" McDonald, age 85, on Monday, March 24, 2014, at 3:00 PM in the David Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at St. Peters Cemetery. Visitation will begin Sunday, March 23, 2014, at 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM. A Rosary will be prayed on Sunday evening at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 8:00 AM until the time of service. "Slim" as he was affectionately known was a born in Iberia Parish and was a lifelong resident of New Iberia. Mr. Henry retired from Shell Oil Company after 34 years of service. Mr. McDonald is a Veteran of the U.S. Army having served in WWII as a member of the 101ST Airborne division from June 28, 1946 until April 17, 1948. During his time in service, Mr. McDonald was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal -Japan. During Henry's time in the military, he "thumbed" his way back home on weekends to spend just a few hours with his family, then he would thumb his way back to the base so he would not be AWOL from his unit. He was a family man through and through. In Henry's earlier years of life he enjoyed going to the movies with his wife to see the latest installment of the "Three Stooges". As time continued on, he still enjoyed being with his friends and being a part of the Victor's Breakfast Club where he would get the latest news and events of the day. Henry enjoyed reading newspapers, eating ice cream, bar-be-queing and spending time with his family. He was also a member of the VFW post 1982 and the American Legion of New Iberia. The proudest moments in Mr. McDonald's life were serving his country as a US Army Paratrooper, retiring from Shell Oil, and the 61 years of marriage to his soul mate Dorothy and the time spent with his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. Henry was often asked for words of wisdom to share. He would respond with the three simple rules; 1. Work Hard 2. Be Honest 3. Love Like God Loves You. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Viator McDonald; son, Neal McDonald and wife Valeria; Daughter, Donna McDonald Snoddy and husband Robert; son, Brent McDonald and wife Ellen. Grandchildren; Colby McDonald, Chase McDonald, Blake Snoddy and fiancée Jennifer Luke, Mathew McDonald, Hannah McDonald; Great Grandchild, Avery Lynn Snoddy; sister, Catherine Darcey and husband Donald all of New Iberia, and beloved pets Benji, Luci, and Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Berwick Sr. and Ora Bailleaux McDonald; brothers, J. B. McDonald, Jr., Kermit McDonald, Sr., Allen P. McDonald; sister, Gwinnie M. Broussard, and in-laws, Clovis and Corinne Romero Viator. Serving as pallbearers will be Chase McDonald, Neal McDonald, Blake Snoddy, Colby McDonald, Bobby Broussard, Hannah McDonald, and Matthew McDonald. The family would like to thank Dr. Carl Ditch, Heart of Hospice, Dr. D. Rinaldi, Dr. P. Stokes, Triple A Home Health, and the VA Medical Clinic of Lafayette for the continuity of care Mr. McDonald received and a very special thanks to Jackie Nathan, Catherine Darcey, and Laura and Olan Broussard. David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
