John Cooper McDonald

John Cooper McDonald, age 85, died on January 25th at Kobacker House in Columbus, OH.  John was known as a consummate gentleman, and, above all else, a man of integrity who lived a rich life. 

John was born in Newark, OH, on November 12, 1936, and was predeceased by his parents, George Jennings McDonald and Isabelle Cooper McDonald, and his son-in-law Bret Butters.  John is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Sally McDonald; his children, Steven Jagger McDonald (Jane Rindsberg) of Barrington, RI, Anne Cooper Peterson (John) of Granville, OH, and Nancy Kendall Butters (Bret, deceased) of Durham, NC; his grandchildren, Spencer Graham Peterson (Lauren Farias), Emma Cooper Peterson (Rey Castrejón), Thomas Arden Butters II (Lauren), Kendall Butters Farrell (Mike), and Haley Anne Butters; and his great-grandchildren, Thomas Arden Butters III, Hudson Andrew Butters, and Sloane Evans Farrell.  To John, his grandchildren were all “good-looking and above average” and his great-grandchildren were simply perfect. 

John is also survived by his sister, Sue Bartley, of Kansas and many nieces and nephews, as well as Susie and Jack McKenna, his sister- and brother-in-law of Columbus, and their sons John (Christina) and Chris (Jenn).  John had a special relationship with the McKenna boys and especially enjoyed spending time with John’s children, Madeleine, Elizabeth, and John Jr.  He gifted John Jr. with his vintage 1990 Miata, along with future rights to his license plate, JCM1.

John was extremely proud of being an Eagle Scout (Order of the Arrow), later becoming a scoutmaster and ultimately receiving the Good Scout Award in 2012.  And John tried to live his life according to the Boy Scout Law of being “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” 

John was graduated from Denison University with Honors.  While there, he was in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was on the golf and debate teams. 

After being accepted at Harvard, Yale, and the University of Michigan law schools, John was offered a full scholarship by The Ohio State University College of Law (later the Moritz College of Law), where he became an Associate Editor of the Law Journal and from which he was graduated summa cum laude and Order of the Coif.  He constantly compared his GPA to that of Mike Moritz, who graduated first in their class.  John might have been in the top 5, but never could achieve the name recognition that might have come with being number 1.  He was noted for winning the National Moot Competition, both the overall award and the award for best oral argument. 

Although John was offered a teaching position, which he strongly considered, he returned to Newark after graduation to practice with the family firm, McDonald and Robinson.  He called practicing with his father, “The Best of Times, the Worst of Times.”  After a lawyer in his building died, John was asked to close his practice of many years, which was a challenging experience for a first-year lawyer, but it whet his appetite to dig into the law further.  Licking County was experiencing an oil and gas boom, so he became experienced in oil and gas work, and later also became well versed in construction law, a specialty he was known for until he retired. 

John campaigned for the Ohio Legislature and served in it from 1964-1970, quickly becoming Minority Leader in his second term.  He then was Counsel to Governor John Gilligan from 1971-1972 and fought hard to get the Ohio income tax bill passed.  To say it was unpopular would of course be an understatement.  In fact, that tax resulted in John losing his job, but he felt Ohio had to do better.  He had been shocked at the condition of the psychiatric hospitals full of naked people tied to beds, left unattended.  An unrepentant liberal, he believed government policy could make a difference in people’s lives.  He was a sucker for good causes and lost causes and generously opened his checkbook for both. 

As John fiercely believed public service was a noble profession, he ran for Attorney General, and after being endorsed by virtually everyone, lost to a late entry named Bill Brown.  He also ran for Congress in the Bicentennial year of 1976.  He was in 16 parades and, not surprisingly, never looked forward to a Fourth of July one again.  However, he had attended so many parades and festivals that he knew where the best concession trailers were for Belgian waffles, French fries, and lemon shake-ups. 

John was also a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and swore he would never attend another.  He later was a member of the Electoral College in 1976.  About that time, he moved to Columbus in search of a more challenging practice and joined the firm then called Emens, Hurd, Kegler & Ritter, subsequently joining Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn (now Ice Miller).  Throughout his career, he reveled in the practice of complex civil litigation, in mentoring many young lawyers, and in his friendships with all the lawyers with whom he worked, many of which lasted until his final days.  John was a stickler when it came to writing, causing many of his mentees to dread seeing their briefs all marked up by his blue felt-tip pen.  He insisted on working up his own cases, instead of having associates do the work and then just presenting the case.  One esteemed lawyer put it as, “If he tells you something, you can take it to the bank.”

John also taught Litigation Practice and Legislative Practices at Capital Law School, was President of the Legal Aid Society, was a Master in the Franklin Inn of Court, and served as a Trustee of the University of Rio Grande.  He also served on The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Alumni Council for 30 years.  He was a proud mentor of two Moritz Scholars.  He was also named one of the Best Lawyers in America and an Ohio Super Lawyer.  The honor he cherished most, however, was being elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.  He was Ohio State Chair and a member of the Trial Competition Committee for two terms.  He and Sally enjoyed many years of fun attending the meetings while making lasting friendships.

Another singular honor came when John received a call from Governor Jim Rhode’s office.  They were naming streets at the Ohio State Fairgrounds after prominent legislators.  At first he was convinced it was a hoax, but after several calls he went to the Ohio State Fair, where he was given the privilege of conducting the Ohio Youth Choir, standing on a ladder in the Grandstand.  There was indeed a new John C. McDonald Street, although it was between the cow and horse barns and thus covered in manure.  Typically, the McDonalds threw an impromptu “Name the Street Party”. 

John and Sally were known for their hospitality and especially their Christmas parties.  John loved a LARGE, LIVE tree; it had to be tall enough to touch the ceiling to be acceptable.  Many years of Trim-a-Tree became a tradition, and John particularly loved the children’s parties.  A generation of children later brought their own children to trim the tree. 

John was a scratch golfer and played on his high school and college team, as well as in law school.  As he started his career, he found it hard to find the time to play regularly, and was disappointed to be shooting a 75!  He abandoned golf for tennis, and quickly became a good player, known best for his wicked left-handed underspin.  He never wanted to take up golf again, even when he had more time.  John loved his tennis group, and was upset when he could no longer play.

No mention of John would be complete without mentioning his love of good food and wine.  An accomplished baker, he made bread regularly and was proud when his grandson Spencer began making his own bread, upping John by making his own yeast!  He likewise enjoyed his Romeo (retired old men eating out) group.

John loved to travel to France, and he and Sally began making regular trips to Provence, always spending some time in Paris as well.  John was at home in France and thus became known to many of his friends as Jacques.  He loved to play pétanque, always with a glass of rosé in his hand.  John and Sally extended their travels to other parts of France, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Germany, as well as Africa. 

Grand Cayman was another special place for John, taking his children and grandchildren there.  He and Sally spent many vacations on the beautiful island.  John also loved the Shakespeare Festival at Stratford, Ontario.  He considered an annual trip there essential, took his teenagers, and later his granddaughter Haley.  John enjoyed the arts a lot, and subscribed to Ballet Met, Pro Musica, Jazz Orchestra, and CATCO.  Living in German Village was likewise important to him.

Many years were also spent in Port Clinton, where John and Sally built a lake house, ushering in the years of the “Peter Inn”.  John established a beautiful garden there, which was widely admired.  Bloody Marys were John’s specialty and became a tradition for the dock.  Many great meals and too much wine was consumed as friendships were nourished and grew over the years of house parties.   

Although John was best known as a lawyer, and perhaps a wine lover, he would say he was an angler.  He began fishing as a small boy, all under the tutelage of his grandfather Papa Bill.  John was not allowed to fish until he could cast into a tire 10 times in a row, so he spent a lot of time rowing the boat.  He loved to fish, mostly on a fly rod, but he was known to use bait and a hook.  He fished in Canada, Michigan, and the West, and loved his times bonefishing in Little Cayman, where, instead of freezing, he could be in clear water and see the fish.  He was known for taking many people fishing, but never teaching them anything.  He would rig up a rod, and felt they were “doing fine”!  The only exception was his grandson Spencer, to whom he actually gave tips and pointers.  The rest of the family and friends never received any help or advice.  He loved being a member of Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club, where he served as President.

John was an introvert and quiet with a good sense of humor.  He did not offer advice unless asked and was not judgmental.  For the most part, he accepted people as they were and treated everyone with great respect.  (Even telemarketers were told “Thank you for calling!”)  He hated talking on the phone, however, and preferred to walk down the hall to speak to someone.  John’s door was always open, as he wanted to be available to anyone needing help.  That may be one reason why so many people liked and respected him.  He was obsessive about being on time, and that was one thing that drove Sally nuts.  He got everywhere 10 minutes early, and, no matter when you arrived, you were late.  He had to leave for the airport 2½ hours ahead of time.   

Over the years, John adored a succession of overfed sheepdogs, who reciprocated his treats with love.  Although he did not consider himself a “cat person”, he became a cat lover and loved the four they had.  In his later years, John was cared for lovingly by Phyllis Soller, who accepted his grumpiness and teased him mercilessly.  She followed him around, always trying to get him to use his walker, and generally put up with him.  John ended his life at Kobacker House, where he received kind and loving care. 

A Celebration of Life will take place at First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus OH 43212, on Monday, January 31st, at 10:30 a.m.  The family will receive friends there from 9:30 until the service.  A reception will follow the service at The Kitchen, 231 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus OH

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Moritz College of Law, Ballet Met, Kobacker House, or the Democratic candidate of your choice.