Obituary of Clark J. McDonald

Clark J. McDonald passed away surrounded by family on March 28th, 2025. Clark was born in Eureka, SD, on February 11th, 1961, to Ada Mae (Sumption) and Eugene McDonald. He lived his entire childhood in Selby, SD. He helped with his dad’s trucking business and enjoyed working on cars, particularly painting them. He graduated from Selby High School in 1979. He then attended SDSU for Architecture for one year before returning home to work at his parents’ convenience store, one of the first of its kind. He attended Mitchell VoTech for Power Line Construction and worked at Cam Wall Electric in Selby for several years. During this time, he met and married Sue (Hollenbeck) in 1989. Together with his step-son Cody, they moved to Benson, MN, where he began working for Agralite Electric Cooperative and raised four more children. In his spare time, he began a used oil recycling business where he designed his own processing and oil recuperation facility. Clark retired in December 2022 and moved to Hugo, MN, with Sue to be closer to their children. 

Clark always had a strong passion for cars, anything electrical, and many other science and business ventures. He could never sit still but was always ready for a midday nap. He loved to talk about heating efficiencies, car detailing, investing options, and ideas for businesses. He told you more than you needed to know about his health, and was always open to comparing retirement plans. In reality, he loved to talk about anything and everything, and could hold a conversation with anyone. It was one of his most impressive qualities.

Above all else, Clark was a family man. He loved his family more than anything else in this world, and much of his life was dedicated to helping them “for the long run.” He always made sure his kids were prepared for anything, with Christmas presents being jumper cables and tow ropes instead of toys or games. He was the best grandfather and grandfather-to-be. He was endlessly supportive, unwaveringly caring, deeply inquisitive, and always there to help anyone in need. He preached to his kids the importance of being there for each other and to always have each other's backs. His proudest achievement in life was keeping his family close and supportive of one another. Clark’s legacy will live on through the lessons he taught, the lives he touched, and the incredible bond he created in his family.

Clark was preceded in death by his father, Eugene, and his mother, Ada Mae (Sumption). Clark is survived by his wife Sue, five children Cody (Meg), Katie (Brandon), Brady (Lindsey), Max (Megan), and Rose, his brothers Larry (Mary), Delwyn (Barb), and Leon, and his grandsons, Collin, Everett, and grandpup Benji. Clark also made the courageous decision to be an organ donor and was able to donate a part of himself to help save the lives of two others. Clark did not wish to have a funeral. A celebration of life for close family and friends will be planned at a future date.