Christopher "Chris" Scott McDonald

Christoper "Chris" Scott McDonald, 52, of Wright, Wyoming, passed away on January 12, 2025.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Memory Gardens Mausoleum with Pastor Jimmy Wiley, a close family friend, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

In the words of Augustus McCrae, "it's been quite a party ain't it?" Christopher Scott McDonald's life was quite the party. He lived a grandeur life of a true horseman, riding ranges and ranches from Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming, amongst other states. Chris was born to James and Carol McDonald in Pampa, Texas on November 12, 1972. His equine love began early in his childhood growing up in Snyder, Texas.

Chris was blessed with many great mounts in his lifetime of which he owned or trained. He was a well-known and respected horseman, born with the gift of training horses to each of their own talents; cattle, polo, or racehorses over the last 4 decades. He would say "you cannot be closer to God than on horseback where you see no man". His talents led him to work with some great outfits throughout the country including Evans Ranch in Midland, Texas; True Ranches ADA-Hirsig Camp in Horse Creek, Wyoming; Graham Livestock in Greenwood, Texas; Flying H & Polo Club in Story, Wyoming; Nimmo Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Butte Rock Ranch in Montrose, Colorado; and numerous other reputable operations. He rode his last ride and worked his last ranch on Leavitt Ranch in Wright, Wyoming on January 11, 2025, when he passed. 

His greatest pride on this earth was his surviving son, Hunter. His purpose on earth was to show his son how to live by the cowboy code by which he lived his life including the principles of hard work, honesty, integrity, dedication, and discipline. Chris’s success was defined in sharing his talent, grit, and passion with his son. They were able to ride many miles, work thousands of cattle, and appreciate the lifestyle that is rare to obtain in today's modern world. Hunter will be taking his dad home to Pampa, Texas to celebrate his life with friends and family. 

Chris McDonald passed as one of the greatest cowboys in this generation. He earned this noble title and is now riding the best in the string of horses with his grandparents preceding him in death, Richard & Vera McDonald and William Arthur and Frances "Floy" Arthur Peters.

Surviving family members are his son, Hunter McDonald and girlfriend Summer Konoponski of Loving, Texas; parents, James and Carol McDonald of Midland, Texas; brother, Neil McDonald and wife Buffie of Amarillo, Texas; sister, Erin Matthews and husband Eric of Uvalde, Texas; grandfather, J.D. Peters and wife Joyce of Oklahoma; nieces, Alexis McDonald and Haylee McDonald of Amarillo, Texas, Shelby Matthews of Midland, Texas; nephew, Cody Matthews of Uvalde, Texas; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.