Dr. Thomas McDonald has been a trail blazer for Spirit Filled ministry in the Binghamton-Owego region. After a spiritual awakening experience he had at a Christian retreat, over 30 years ago, he was catapulted into ministry with gifts of the spirit. He was a founding president of an FGBMFI chapter in Owego, and years later, after forming Gateway Ministries, and founding Sword and the Spirit Christian Fellowship church, he shared his Christian life story testimony with the public at a BMFUSA dinner, approximately 5 years ago. That testimony was recorded for public access cable TV and shown multiple times to the public over cable TV in as many as 13 counties across NY, PA, and NJ during the years which followed. Tom's spiritual leadership will be remembered with admiration and with thanksgiving to God. The following obituary was published by the Press & Sun Bulletin, and can be found at pressconnects.com:
McDonald, Thomas J. Sr.
Owego: Pastor Thomas J. McDonald, Sr., 77, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday December 21, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Marilou McDonald; his five children, Dr. Thomas, Jr. and Robin McDonald, Mary Genevieve and Robert Beirne, Timothy and Jennifer McDonald, Daniel and Kathleen McDonald, Edward "Ted" and Amy McDonald; his 12 grandchildren, Megan, Melissa, Cristyn, Timothy, Jr., Matthew, Sarah, Mary Kathryn, Daniel, Jr., Edward "Joe" Jr., John, James, Erin; his sister, Elizabeth Cuff; sister-in-law, Jane McDonald; many nieces, nephews; his associate Pastors and congregation. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph McDonald, and brother-in-law, Patrick Cuff. Mr. McDonald was born on November 7, 1934 in Dunmore, PA, the son of the late Joseph Patrick and Genevieve (Roche) McDonald. Upon earning his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Scranton, he began his career in the defense and aerospace industry. First, working at Martin-Marietta and later IBM, Owego where he retired after 24 years of service. After retirement he continued on to earn his Master's Degree and Doctorate in Business Management and founded McDonald Consulting, his firm which counseled numerous aerospace companies. Throughout his life though, his true passion was serving Jesus Christ. In 1983, he and his wife began Gateway Ministries, and later established the Sword and the Spirit Christian Fellowship. He oversaw construction of the church and served there as Senior Pastor. Pastor Tom also authored two books; Suddenly and The Separation. The focus of his ministry was to disciple young men and women. A Funeral Service will be held at the Sword and the Spirit Christian Fellowship, 39 Dickinson Rd., Owego, NY 13827 on Wednesday December 28, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow on the church grounds. Family and friends are invited to visit at the Sword and the Spirit on Tuesday December 27, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial contribution in his memory to the Sword and the Spirit Christian Fellowship Building Fund. Please share your memories at
www.RichardsFH.com.
"...and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
