Our friend Otis McDonald has passed away. It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. I also know that Otis has been suffering on and off physically for some time. He was born September 17, 1933 and passed away April 4, 2014 at the age of 79.
Otis McDonald was the lead plaintiff among a handful of great people from Illinois whose case went to the US Supreme Court in June 2008. The case – McDonald v. City of Chicago ruled that its handgun ban violated the Second Amendment, and that the right to keep and bear arms was incorporated to the states via the 14th Amendment. Mr. McDonald was an important person and became the front man for us as the Second Amendment Foundation backed him through the two year fight for our rights.
He was a kind and gentle Christian man who told me he was amazed at the reception he was getting from “white folks around the country.” We joked about how he was a recognized name in the gun community but nobody knew who he was at the store down the street.
His nephew, the reverend Dr. Fred Jones is handling inquiries and I believe may be presiding at the “going home services.”
He was born in Fort Necessity, La., and moved north to Chicago after serving in the U.S. Army like many Americans of color did during the Great Migration.
He worked in several jobs before finding is career at the University of Chicago, where he worked as a journeyman engineer. He also worked his way through college, earning a degree in engineering from Kennedy-King College in Chicago. He later served as president of his local trade union.
The author with Mr. McDonald
Mr. McDonald is survived by his wife Laura and their children; Chandra, Sheila, Jessie Marie and Dorsey, and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Kelvin.
Please send a card, a donation and or a note directly to Mrs. McDonald. She would appreciate hearing from all of us who love and support her husband.
Mrs. Laura McDonald
10752 So. Church St.
Chicago, IL 60643
Rev. Kenn Blanchard, internet radio broadcaster, online advertiser, veteran, concealed carry activist and Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast who shares what is on the minds of hunters and concealed carry permit holders at blackmanwithagun.com.