Nathan Kenneth McDonald

Our dear husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Nathan Kenneth McDonald, 38, passed away on February 3, 2021, in West Jordan, Utah.

Nate was born on September 14, 1982, in Bountiful, Utah, to Scott Delmont McDonald and Julie Beth Newman McDonald. From the beginning, Nate was full of energy, and he loved He-Man and duct tape. He knew how to ham things up with the biggest of grins, and he carried that inborn ability to make people laugh throughout his life. He was always quick with a joke, and those jokes were always the funniest in the room.

In eighth grade, Nate began attending Mount Vernon Academy in Murray, Utah. In the family environment there, he became the big man on campus and was especially successful on the basketball court. Following graduation in 2001, he served in the California Long Beach Mission and grew to love the people and the work.

In January 2005, he enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves. He received Veteran status through honorable service in Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2007 to February 2008 and also Honorable Discharge in 2013.

On June 23, 2006, he and Dana Christine Midgley were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they worked hard to build a life that they loved. They had three children — Vincent, Allison, and Brielle — who were Nate’s world. In many ways, he became a new person when he became a father. He was particularly protective of his family and doted on them constantly.

Nate started his career in physical security. Because of his interest in technology, he attended the University of Phoenix, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, graduating cum laude in September 2014. He worked at L3Harris at this time, moving from physical security to cybersecurity as an Information Systems Security Officer. He worked hard to earn several top-level information security certifications. At the time of his passing, he was working in a computer engineering position at L3, a job he greatly enjoyed.

Nate loved sports throughout his life, and was especially a fan of the Utah Jazz, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and MMA. With Vince, he loved playing video games and having Pokemon battles. He also taught himself how to play the guitar and would serenade his daughters Allie and Brielle with their favorite songs as they danced.

He is survived by his wife, Dana, children Vince, Allie and Brielle, mother Julie and siblings Greg (Felicia), Rob (Andee), Jen (Charlie) and Ryan, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Scott.

For those friends and family who would like to pay their condolences, a viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 10 from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy, Utah. Funeral services for immediate family will be held on February 11 at 11 a.m. with viewing for those attending beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Due to Covid-19 procedures, gatherings in the mortuary will be limited in size, as well as social distancing and the wearing of masks will be required.