McAlister, Donald Edward

Donald Edward McAlister,83, of 515 Crimson Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 18, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital. A celebration of life memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. Beth Straw officiating. Entombment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Don was born Oct. 1, 1926, in Brush, Colo., to Elton and Helen Douthitt McAlister. He grew up in Brush and Sterling, Colo., and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Harriett Rolph on Feb. 5, 1945. She died in 1965. He and Mary Joan (McNeill) Ferguson were married on Oct. 4, 1969, in Cedar Rapids. He was employed by Iowa Electric Light and Power for 42 years, both in Sterling and Cedar Rapids, retiring in 1984. He earned a degree from Kirkwood and attended Coe College where he was president of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Fraternity.

Don was a member of St. James United Methodist Church and Sociables. He was also a member of Marion American Legion Post No 298. He enjoyed traveling, walking at Lindale Mall, following Iowa Women's Basketball, playing cards and was an avid reader.

Don is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Joan (Mary Jo); two sons, Glenn McAlister of Iowa City, and Steven (Anita) Ferguson of Dixon, Calif.; two daughters, Patricia Williams of Stewartsville, N.J., and Penny (Dan) Crespin of Aurora, Colo.; five grandchildren, Todd (Tammy) Ferguson of Denver, Colo., Donald Williams of Merrill, Christina Lamothe of Chicago, and Evan and Ilana Ferguson of Dixon, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, Dakota Ferguson of Denver, Colo. and Jake Williams of Merrill, Iowa.

He is also survived by a sister, Sandra (George) Tuman of The Villages, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Judith Nesper of Hiawatha; a brother-in-law, James Q. (Dee) McNeill Jr. of Cedar Rapids,; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and two sisters.

Don's family would like to thank Dr. John Banks (and staff), Dr. Nasar Payvandi, Dr. James Boddicker and the nursing staff of 3 Center at St. Luke's Hospital, for the wonderful care they gave Don for the 34 years he fought heart problems and COPD.<

Military honors by Marion American Legion Post No 298.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 1430 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

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