James D. McDonald
OBITUARY
James “Jim” McDonald, 87, of La Jolla, California passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 30, 2025.
Born and raised in Washington D.C., James was adopted as a young infant by his loving mother, Julia McDonald of West Virginia.
James graduated from Chamberlain Vocational High School in Washington D.C., with a focus on Art and Marketing. While at Chamberlain, he played on the school’s football team as a defensive back.
In the early 1960s, James opened two antique shops in the Kensington, Maryland area. The Drum Maker Shop followed by the Kensington Flea Market. Local politicians and stars alike frequented his shop, returning often.
He relocated with family to La Jolla, California in 1977, where he began a new business, James D. McDonald Antiques and Art, focusing on appraising antiques and fine art for local residents. In the mid 1980s he went on to become one of only a handful of estate liquidators in the area. He prided himself in business and worked well into his seventies.
James was a founding member of the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club, where he served as the second president of the club. It was there that he volunteered as Santa Claus in the La Jolla Christmas Parade each year for twenty-five years.
He was also a member of the La Jolla Historical Society along with the San Diego Historical Society to which he gave to generously throughout the years. He took great pride in being part of his community.
In his spare time, James enjoyed running. He completed The New York Marathon, The San Francisco Marathon, a Triathlon, and sixteen half marathons. A member of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, he often started his afternoon runs there, returning just before sunset. His favorite place to spend time was at the beach.
Some of his favorite things included family beach barbecues, writing, telling jokes, football season, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Mr. Banks & Bentley), picnics in the park, Christmas, Friday night movies with family, a good Chianti, vacations to Maui, Norah Jones, and Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
James lived his life to the fullest, taking no day for granted. He was loving, kind, thoughtful, fair and generous. A family man… always putting family first. He will be missed and not soon forgotten, as he touched so many lives.
He is survived by his two daughters, Kelly Garbers and Lolly Scott, along with four grandchildren, Tyler, Casey, Jameson, and Skylar, and two great-grandchildren.