Mr. McDonald was a Mason and, along with his wife, a great supporter of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic youth group. He was an accomplished pianist and organist, as well as a composer. He is survived by his wife, Florence, and his daughter, Phyllis Lamborn.
Brother of Irene Sabra McDonald Kantlehner
***
S.J. Musician John L. McDonald Dies
John Lewis McDonald, 71, one of San Jose's best known musicians, died Thursday night in San Gabriel and will be buried in Oak Hill memorial Park Monday following 2 p.m. services in the John E. Dowdle Mortuary, 1066 S. Second St.
Visiting at the San Gabriel home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lamborn, McDonald fell Saturday and broke a hip. He underwent surgery there Sunday. Six years ago he suffered a severe paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. The family home is at 881 S. 11th St.
One of McDonald's most notable accomplishments was to win appointment as worthy grand organist of the general grand chapter, Order of Eastern Star, a world title bestowed upon him in 1938. It followed active work in the Eastern Star starting in 1924.
Besides that organization, he belonged to Golden Rule Lodge No. 479, F&AM, since 1921; San Jose Chapter 31, OES, since 1922; San Jose Scottish Rite Bodies which made him a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1949; Islam Temple of the Shrine; Kiwanis Club of San Jose.
Though a member of Golden Rule, he was organist for San Jose Lodge No. 10, F&AM, for 25 years.
He was in charge of band music for four San Jose public schools over a 32-year period.
He was born in Chicago in 1891, his parents brought him to San Jose before his second birthday anniversary. He was a graduate of Lowell Grammar School, San Jose High, Stanford in 1914 as an electrical engineer, in addition to which he received a degree later from San Jose State College and Worcester School of Music, San Francisco.
At the age of 4 he played a piano concert before an audience in the old normal school here. At 6 he was a member of the first grammar school orchestra in San Jose.
While at Stanford he wrote and had five operettas produced and for two years was in charge of the Stanford Glee Club. Instead of following the progression of an electrical engineer, he devoted his full time to music and for a time gave private lessons, then for seven years had his own band and orchestra at the beach at Santa Cruz.
In 1912 he married Florence Helen Vincent, who survives. In 1924 he became worthy patron of his chapter's Eastern Star, in 1928 grand organist, in 1931 associate grand patron, in 1932 grand patron.
In appreciation of his Eastern Star work the chapters in the state in 1932 presented him a Steinway grand piano.
Besides widow and daughter, McDonald is survived by a San Jose son, Dr. Charles J. McDonald, optometrist, and sister, Mrs. Irene Kantlehner of San Jose.
Dr. Philip W. Barrett of First Presbyterian Church will be in charge of services at the Dowdle chapel.
Published in the San Jose Mercury newspaper, July 28, 1962, page 12.
Mr. McDonald was a Mason and, along with his wife, a great supporter of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic youth group. He was an accomplished pianist and organist, as well as a composer. He is survived by his wife, Florence, and his daughter, Phyllis Lamborn.
Brother of Irene Sabra McDonald Kantlehner
***
S.J. Musician John L. McDonald Dies
John Lewis McDonald, 71, one of San Jose's best known musicians, died Thursday night in San Gabriel and will be buried in Oak Hill memorial Park Monday following 2 p.m. services in the John E. Dowdle Mortuary, 1066 S. Second St.
Visiting at the San Gabriel home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lamborn, McDonald fell Saturday and broke a hip. He underwent surgery there Sunday. Six years ago he suffered a severe paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. The family home is at 881 S. 11th St.
One of McDonald's most notable accomplishments was to win appointment as worthy grand organist of the general grand chapter, Order of Eastern Star, a world title bestowed upon him in 1938. It followed active work in the Eastern Star starting in 1924.
Besides that organization, he belonged to Golden Rule Lodge No. 479, F&AM, since 1921; San Jose Chapter 31, OES, since 1922; San Jose Scottish Rite Bodies which made him a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1949; Islam Temple of the Shrine; Kiwanis Club of San Jose.
Though a member of Golden Rule, he was organist for San Jose Lodge No. 10, F&AM, for 25 years.
He was in charge of band music for four San Jose public schools over a 32-year period.
He was born in Chicago in 1891, his parents brought him to San Jose before his second birthday anniversary. He was a graduate of Lowell Grammar School, San Jose High, Stanford in 1914 as an electrical engineer, in addition to which he received a degree later from San Jose State College and Worcester School of Music, San Francisco.
At the age of 4 he played a piano concert before an audience in the old normal school here. At 6 he was a member of the first grammar school orchestra in San Jose.
While at Stanford he wrote and had five operettas produced and for two years was in charge of the Stanford Glee Club. Instead of following the progression of an electrical engineer, he devoted his full time to music and for a time gave private lessons, then for seven years had his own band and orchestra at the beach at Santa Cruz.
In 1912 he married Florence Helen Vincent, who survives. In 1924 he became worthy patron of his chapter's Eastern Star, in 1928 grand organist, in 1931 associate grand patron, in 1932 grand patron.
In appreciation of his Eastern Star work the chapters in the state in 1932 presented him a Steinway grand piano.
Besides widow and daughter, McDonald is survived by a San Jose son, Dr. Charles J. McDonald, optometrist, and sister, Mrs. Irene Kantlehner of San Jose.
Dr. Philip W. Barrett of First Presbyterian Church will be in charge of services at the Dowdle chapel.
Published in the San Jose Mercury newspaper, July 28, 1962, page 12.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
