Joseph Graham “Joe” MacDonald
- Joseph Graham “Joe” MacDonald, husband of late wife Liz, father to Meghan and Erin, and beloved member of the Knoxville community entered Eternal Life following a series of health challenges on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. Powered by his faith, his love for his family and his dedication to golf, Joe died the week of his favorite tournament,
The Masters. Born in Knoxville in 1951, he was the third of Sam and Esther MacDonald’s ten children. Growing up, Joe spent the summers fishing and exploring with his relatives in Anderson, South Carolina. His found happiness being outside only continued as the family purchased the MacDonald farm and cabin. Joe then went on to graduate from Knoxville Catholic High School, a MacDonald tradition, where he and the University of Tennessee. Joe was a teacher and advocate for the Roman Catholic faith. He served for the remainder of his life. He was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral, where fellow parishioners could always count on Joe’s full-throated hymn singing and boisterous “amens” at Sunday morning’s Mass. In the same fashion, Joe will always be cherished for his penchant for MacDonald storytelling, often with colorful language and interlaced with frequent proselytizing out of his passionate love for others.
One thing that Joe never met was a stranger. Many called him a “roamer” of the Earth. From visiting the sacred sights across the Holy Land to spontaneous trips to Florida, Joe moved each person he encountered. Those who know him well will specifically miss his warm bear hug embraces. Joe always had an extra dollar, meal, or room to stay in. He was always the first to call on a friend or family member in need. He displayed this by giving back to his community through volunteer efforts, monthly donations and partnering with charitable institutions. Joe was a staple volunteer for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s organization based on charity and unity. He truly had a servant’s heart and wove it into his professional and personal life as well.
Joe’s heart extended into community development for his beloved home, Knoxville. Through his career, inspecting and building houses for low income families - Joe served as an advocate for safer, better living. He was a collector of people, experiences and things. Like his father, Joe cherished his own basement of farm auction finds, National Geographics, boat motors, a hovercraft and the occasional classic car. Every day was truly an adventure by Joe’s side. He never held back his opinion and if one thing was certain about him, it was that he was always true to himself. To know Joe was to love and be loved by Joe. Whether you knew him as “Daddy”, “Uncle Joe”, “Joeby” or just “Joe”, he will most certainly be missed and never forgotten. He is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Elders, parents Sam and Esther MacDonald, his sister Anna McNair, and his brother John. Joe is survived by his daughters Meghan MacDonald and Erin Barletta, grandson Michael and his siblings Jim, Jeff, Danny, Liz Horton, Phillip, Claire Hyrka, and Susan Wyatt, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s memory to the Knoxville Knights of Columbus Emergency Fund, Smile Train and Covenant House.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann with the Rosary Service to follow at 7:00 pm. The funeral mass will be on Tuesday at 10:00 am at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com