Obituary: Edwin R. “Randy” McDonald,III – Football 1970-73

June 13, 1952 – June 5, 2025

Graveside services for Edwin Randolph “Randy” McDonald, III, will be Monday, June 9, at 2:00 P.M. at the Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, Louisiana, with Bro. Larry Foster and Bro. Brandon Jones officiating, under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home.

Randy was born to Ed Jr. and Mary Nell McDonald on June 13, 1952, and passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025. He grew up in Newellton and loved recalling stories of his childhood and youth. Randy graduated from Newellton High School in 1970 where he was known for his athleticism and hard-work ethic that led him to receive a scholarship to play football for the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). While in college, he met his wife, Aimee. They married in 1975 and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2025. Randy briefly coached at Jennings High School before moving back to Newellton where he worked on the family farm and raised their three children. Randy was always known to give a helping hand in the community. He was a board member of Tensas State Bank and a member of First Baptist Church Newellton where he taught Sunday school for many years. What little free time he had outside of working, he enjoyed playing the banjo, being outdoors and being with his grandchildren.

Randy is preceded in death by his parents. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Aimee, and his three children, all of Newellton, Louisiana, Jenny McDonald, Mac McDonald and wife, Tiffany, and Sara Lee and husband, John. Randy adored his grandchildren and leaves them with many happy and endearing memories of their “Papa”. Grandchildren are Mason McDonald, Owen McDonald, Hayden McDonald, Emiline McDonald, Samuel McDonald, Kathryn Lee, and Caroline Lee. He leaves behind two sisters, Cynthia Lewellen and husband, Mike, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Dorry McDonald of Shreveport, Louisiana, along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Though his earthly labor is done, we rejoice in knowing he now rests in the arms of his Savior, Jesus. Randy exemplified 2 Timothy 4:7- “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

The family wishes to thank TLC Hospice, Cathy Adams, Kim McMurray, Pam Jackson, Brian Whatley, Tenishia Dorsey, Jaki Wilson, and Karteshi Anders for all the wonderful care, love and dedication they gave to Randy and the family during his time at home.

Pallbearers will be Mac McDonald, Mason McDonald, Owen McDonald, Hayden McDonald and Samuel McDonald.

Please make any memorials to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edwin R. McDonald III, please visit our floral store.

Obituary information provided by teammate 70-73 Jerry Gibbens, who played both at McNaspy and the new Cajun Field.

Posted by Ed Dugas, athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu
To view team Football photos, click www.athleticnetwork.net > Photo Gallery > Football > Any of the years which appear.
Our condolences to Randy, his family, teammates, and friends.