Eugene McDonald

Eugene S. McDonald (1909-1982) was an Oneida businessman who served as the town’s mayor from 1955 to 1959.

See Also: Mayors of Oneida
Succeeded By: C. Lee Smith • Preceded By: John Lee West

Early Life

Born June 18, 1909, Eugene McDonald was the son of Frazier McDonald (1882-1967) and Betty May Thompson. His great-grandfather, James McDonald, served in Company G of the 2nd Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and died while being confined as a prisoner at Belle Isle. He was one of several Union soldiers from Scott County captured by the Rebel army at Rogersville on Nov. 6, 1863.

McDonald married Virginia Blevins (1913-1994), the granddaughter of Scott County Assessor of Property William Charley Blevins Sr., who died in a train accident in 1914.

The McDonalds had two children: Robert Bruce McDonald, who died in infancy in 1934, and Dr. William Eugene McDonald.

Professional Career

McDonald was an industrial manager in both Scott and Morgan counties, and was a charter member of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. He served as the president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1963.

Oneida Mayor

McDonald was elected mayor of Oneida in 1955, replacing C. Lee Smith. He was re-elected in 1957 and served until 1959, when he was replaced by John Lee West.

It was during McDonald’s tenure as mayor that the town’s sewer system was extended into the South Oneida area for the first time.

Death

Following his tenure as mayor, McDonald moved to Kingston, Tenn., where he was a member of the First Baptist Church. His son also lived in Kingston.

McDonald fell ill in March 1982 and died while hospitalized at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. on March 23, 1982. He was 72. A funeral service was held at West-Murley Funeral Home in Oneida two days later, with Dr. Gary Marsh officiating. McDonald was buried at Carson Memorial Park in Oneida.