Thomas Joseph McDonald, M.D.

(December 13, 1935 – May 31, 2026)

Thomas Joseph McDonald, M.D., 90, passed away at home on Sunday, May 31, 2026. He was born on Friday, December 13, 1935, in Collins, Mississippi, to Sam and Rose McDonald. Tom married Susan Newton Rogers in 1957, and together they built a loving family with five children. She remained a constant support to him until her death in 2012. He later married Martha Goolsby in 2014.

Tom graduated from Collins High School in 1955 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard College in 1960. He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1964. While in medical school, he proudly served in the Mississippi National Guard. After graduation, Tom practiced as a general physician in Mantachie before beginning neurosurgical residency training in 1971. Upon completing his training, he moved to Tupelo in 1977, where he was instrumental in establishing the first neurosurgery program at North Mississippi Medical Center and touched many lives. He practiced medicine until his retirement in 2007. He was a proud member of the American Medical Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association, the Northeast Mississippi Medical Society, the Southern Neurosurgical Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Tom loved the Lord and sought to honor Him throughout his life. As a longtime member and elder of First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo, his faith shaped his character, informed his service to others, and remained a constant source of strength and purpose. He was a member of the Rotary Club and generously supported a variety of local charities. A staunch conservationist, Tom enjoyed cattle farming and managing his land on his John Deere tractor, where he hosted an annual dove hunt. He was a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He was a member of the Locust Fork Expeditions group, with whom he hiked to Machu Picchu in Peru and successfully climbed both Mont Blanc in 1992 and Mount Kilimanjaro in 1995. For their 20th anniversary trip, the group climbed Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the Scottish Highlands, a trip especially meaningful to Tom because of his Scottish heritage. He enjoyed running and completed the Boston Marathon in 1979. Tom was also an avid Ole Miss fan.

Tom loved his family and is survived by his wife of twelve years, Martha McDonald; sisters, Jimmie Blackwell of Petal and Nora McRaney of Collins; son, Jay McDonald (LouAnn) of Booneville; daughters, Bess Robbins (Grayson) of Tupelo, Aimee Burrow (Chris) of Jackson, Margaret Whitenton (Jason) of Tupelo, and Alice Stine (William) of Byhalia; grandchildren, Alix Roaten (Travis) of Tupelo, Trae Stine (Erin) of Coldwater, Mary Kate Bergstrom (Zack) of Knoxville, Walker Burrow (Anna) of Byhalia, Larkin Red (Rider) of Nesbit, and Nicholas Burrow (Shannon) of Southaven; four great-grandchildren, with two more expected; stepchildren, Kim McFarling (Steve) and Joe Lumpkin (Darcy); five step-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his faithful furry son, Gus.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Susan McDonald; parents, Sam and Rose McDonald; sister, Mollie Cranford; and brother, Billy McDonald.

Visitation will be 5:30 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, and 1 p.m. until service time Thursday, June 4, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of life honoring Dr. Tom will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Brock officiating. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Additional visitation will be 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, with services at 2 p.m.at McDonald Presbyterian Church in Collins, Mississippi, with burial to follow, at McDonald Cemetery, located at the intersection of McDonald Chapel Road & McDonald Cemetery Road Collins, Mississippi. Billy M. King Colonial Chapel of Collins is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo or McDonald Presbyterian Church of Collins.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23