Ken McDonald

November 14, 2013

Ken McDonald, 58, beloved husband, brother, son, Pops, step father, uncle, passed away Saturday November 9, 2013, (following a long battle with cancer.) He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Wesley McDonald from Walsall England.

He is survived by his wife, Terri McDonald of Milton; brother and sister-in-law, Paul & Moira McDonald; nephew, Lee McDonald; mother, Margaret McDonald all from Walsall, England; sister, Lynn McDonald and husband, Paul Phayzee and nephew, Daniel Phayzee of Birmingham, England; step-daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Ben Cauble; grandchildren, Gabriel, Noah, Eliana and Judah of McDonough, GA; step-son, Paul Westmoreland of Lawrenceville, GA; aunts, uncles and cousins from England; sisters and brothers-in-law, from Georgia and many dear friends from England, Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

He started playing football (soccer) in 1965, playing for many clubs in England and continued his career coaching and training to the very end. His accomplishments include many champion cups and league cups as a player. He and his friend Micky Ross started their own football club which achieved two levels below Premier League. His immense knowledge of the game is evident in two Deaflympic gold medals and World Cup semi-finals with the USA Deaf Soccer, numerous tournament and state championships with teams from Georgia, Florida and Alabama, six players that he personally trained and coached who now play in professional clubs in England, feature articles in the Soccer Journal, the largest soccer magazine in the USA, invitations to lecture at the NSCAA conventions, qualified and experienced Coerver Coach and staff coach at Berry College Summer Camps to name only a few.

In the words of his players, “Coach Ken is the definition of true coaching, so much more than soccer. Ken left everyone a better person. His dedication and commitment to players and teams and his deep love for the game and a powerful faith in the potential of his players was immeasurable. So many have benefited from his immense knowledge of the game, more than they even thought was possible.”

Ken was a legend in the eyes of his players, friends and family and is greatly missed.

In celebration of Ken’s life, services will be held at Navarre Beach on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 2 p.m.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.

Comments

3 Responses to “Ken McDonald”

  1. Nigel Cattell on December 26th, 2013 8:47 am

    I am very sad that I have just learned ( through your publication) of the death of my Cousin Ken.
    I know how well thought of he was
    RIP Ken

  2. Dennis Degville on November 24th, 2013 12:05 pm

    Deeply sorry to hear of the death of my old mate Ken Mac.a perfect gent , had the pleasure to play with and against him at home in Bloxwich England.can I just tell a tale of the measure of the man .i got married in January 1988 and had not seen him for a while as he was always off somewhere or another but one day my wife and I returned from work to find a parcel on the doorstep with a note saying congratulations from “eight nine ten”(rhymes with ken) although I hadn’t seen him for a while He never forgot me and neither will I forget him God bless you Ken and condolences toTerri

  3. Jeanne LeGrand on November 22nd, 2013 7:45 pm

    I had the pleasure of being his nurse on several occasions. I wished that I had known him under better circumstances. He handled all the unfairness of his diagnosis and unimaginable physical pain with such strength and grace. He made such an impression on me. He was truly a kind, good soul. We will miss him.

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries