Albert Clyde McDonald July 6, 2014
Albert Clyde McDonald
July 6, 2014
Albert Clyde McDonald, 83, of Madison, died Sunday, July 6, 2014. He placed service above himself with his actions and accomplishments. He was a farmer, a good citizen, and a good Senator. Albert was born in Dayton, TN. He was the eldest of three children of Clyde McDonald and Nahoma Welch McDonald. Albert leaves a lifetime of achievement through hard work, bountiful crops by God’s blessings, and proud memories by all who knew and loved him. He is preceded in death by his aforementioned parents and his siblings, Malcolm Rhea McDonald and Mary Lynn Goodwin.
Albert is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Shields McDonald; sons, Mark Russell McDonald, and Stan (Mabel) McDonald; daughters, Caroline McDonald (Hon. Robert) Aderholt and Leah McDonald Engler; and grandchildren, Dr. Matthew McDonald, Carter McDonald, Lewis McDonald, Locker McDonald, Lloyd McDonald, Mary Eleanor McDonald, Melissa Suzanne McDonald, Luke McDonald, Manie McDonald, Christian Rutherford, Mary Elliott Aderholt, Robert Hayes Aderholt, Bruce Erich Engler, and Anna Kate Engler.
Albert was a unique state leader who combined an impressive career in farming with an equally impressive political record. A 1953 agriculture graduate of Auburn University, Albert was engaged in farming since 1954, and produced cotton, soybeans and grain on his Huntsville-area farm. Albert was a member of the Cotton Incorporated Executive Committee, served as President of the Southern Cotton Growers Incorporated, as well as, a member of various national committees including but not limited to the National Cotton Council.
Albert began his political career in 1974, when he was elected to the Alabama State Senate. From that time forward he was a positive force in Alabama government. He sponsored many pieces of legislation that have proven to be beneficial to rural Alabamians. In his second term as State Senator, Albert served as chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. In 1982 he was elected as Alabama’s 21st Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and was re-elected to serve a second term.
In 1991, Albert was appointed by President George Bush to position of Executive Director of the Alabama Farm Services Administration. In 1995, he was appointed by the Huntsville City Council to serve on the governing board of Huntsville Hospital. In 1996 he was appointed by Governor Fob James to serve on the Auburn University Board of Trustees.
Visitation was held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in Huntsville. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Huntsville First United Methodist Church with Reverend Travis Wilson officiating. Pallbearers included Albert’s grandsons.
Flowers can be sent to Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, or please make a contribution to the Madison United Methodist Church, 127 Church Street, Madison AL 35758; The American Cancer Society, 3000 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805; or The Huntsville Hospital Foundation, 101 Sivley Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35801.
