Larry McDonald 1935 – 1983

Biography

Larry McDonald was born on April 1, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent his formative years. He went on to pursue a career in politics, dedicating himself to public service and the representation of his constituents. Throughout his life, McDonald remained connected to his native Georgia, building a life rooted in the community where he had grown up.

On September 1, 1983, Larry McDonald’s life was cut short in a tragedy that shocked the nation. He was among the 269 passengers and crew members aboard Korean Air Lines Flight 007 when the aircraft was shot down over Sakhalin Island. The circumstances surrounding the crash marked one of the Cold War era’s most significant aviation disasters, drawing international attention and controversy.

Following his death, Larry McDonald was laid to rest at Crest Lawn Cemetery in Atlanta, returning him to the city of his birth. He is remembered for his years of public service and his commitment to his political career, though his legacy remains forever linked to the historic events of that September day in 1983.