Gerald Francis McDonald, 81, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on September 9, 2026, at Palmdale Regional Medical Center.

Gerald was born on April 5,1945 to Kenneth and Angelina (Dittrich) McDonald in Woodstock, Illinois. As a young child, Gerald and his family moved to a dairy farm in Taylor, Wisconsin, where he grew up as the oldest of nine children and with childhood years full of sledding parties, go-kart escapades, and cousin-filled summers on the farm.

Gerald attended Taylor School District, graduating as salutatorian of his class in 1963. He then earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and later earned a Masters Degree. He also served in the Navy for a short time where he received a medical discharge.

Gerald's interest in foreign languages started at a young age as he would listen to records to teach himself new languages. This interest only grew as he travelled the world as an adult, eventually learning and teaching up to eight different languages. This love of languages and other cultures led him to teach middle and high school students and adult education for over forty years in Wisconsin, Illinois, Idaho, Colorado, and California. He even taught in his childhood school district where he is still remembered as "Herr Mack" by his German class students and where he taught several of his younger siblings. Students never were bored in his classes as he always included singing, dancing, acting, and making foods related to the languages he taught.

Gerald also loved acting and directing high school and community plays, like his original play Bicentennial of 1776 and a high school version of Dracula that even scared adults.

Gerald was very involved with the Sons of Norway when he lived in the Taylor area. Although he wasn't Norwegian, he enjoyed growing up in a Norwegian community and sharing his love of languages.

Gerald was a natural storyteller and loved meeting new people to tell these stories to. He made friends wherever he went and in the past few years enjoyed going to the local Burger King every morning to get his favorite breakfast sandwich and to practice speaking Spanish and German with his coffee friends. Also known for his delicious turkey dinners, he even passed out lyrics to German songs to his guests for all to sing after dinner. He never lost this ability to bring his special talent of languages and love of people together.

Gerald is survived by his wife Zenaida of 37 years and his children Brad (Sarah), Jarrod, Tamara (Daniel) Dorris, Anne Marie (Brian) Urie, and Geraldo and several grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Steven (Rita), Thomas (Cathy), Larry (Cheryl), Patricia (Ed) Davis, Pamela Bowe, and Mark (Ann) along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Edward and Gregory.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Holland and Lyons Mortuary at 1:30 pm in Ridgecrest, CA. An additional short memorial service will be held at St. James Cemetery in Irwin, IL, on October 10 at 1:00 pm.

Condolences and memorials can be sent to the family via Geraldo McDonald, 115 W. Church Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” -Chinese proverb