Paul Arthur MacDonald

ADRIAN- Paul Arthur MacDonald, age 88, of Adrian, Michigan died early Thursday morning, April 11, 2024 in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Paul was a Christmas Eve baby, born on December 24, 1935 in Lakewood, OH the second of Arthur and Hilda (Miller) MacDonald’s three children. He graduated from Berea High School in Ohio in 1954 and went on to earn his bachelors and master’s from Bowling Green University in Exercise Science. Paul started his teaching career at Hoover High School in North Canton, OH, and during his seven years at HHS, he was the wrestling coach and helped his team win a state title. He moved on to Adrian College in 1966 and became deeply involved with both academics and coaching. Paul was a professor in exercise science and during his thirty years at AC, Paul taught over 20 different classes, with his later years focusing on Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology. He coached wrestling from 1966 to 1980 and won three consecutive titles from 1969 through 1971. Paul was also a coach for track and field. Paul was a groundbreaker in many different areas at AC. He was the Department Chair of the Exercise Science Department for many years, the first certified athletic trainer (nicknamed the Ice Man), and one of the first professors to take students abroad to study. Paul was the first Director of the Merillat Sports and Fitness Center. If you were a student at AC, you most likely had some connection with “Coach Mac”. Paul earned many awards for his years of service and making a difference in the lives of students, some acknowledgements included being inducted to the Hoover High School Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Adrian College Hall of Fame for his tenure as wresting coach. In 2019, he was on the receiving end of the “Honoring Coach Mac Night” for his dedication to the wrestling program. On June 9, 1984 Paul married Melinda “Mindy” Dygert in Angola, Indiana and she survives. During their 39 years of marriage Paul and Mindy shared many adventures, traveling to almost all 50 states, Australia and throughout Europe. Paul believed in exercising and keeping fit throughout his life. Once he retired, he decided to put more time into golf and he embraced this belief “all day and every day” if the weather allowed for it. In addition to his loving wife, Mindy, Paul is survived by his children, Leslie (Robert) Murphy, Stuart (Lori) MacDonald, Tracy MacDonald; grandchildren, Brandon Murphy and Holly (Zak) Patton; a great-grandson Lucas Patton, and sister-in-law, Donna MacDonald. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sibings, Jack MacDonald and Margaret MacDonald. There will be a memorial Gathering of Family and Friends on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Adrian College in the Bulldog Room, located in the Merillat Sports and Fitness Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the MacDonald Study Abroad Scholarship at Adrian College or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com

Paul Arthur MacDonald

December 24, 1935 - April 11, 2024