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Laney C. McDonald Sr. passed away early Sunday morning, October 21, 2001. Born in Waco, TX, on September 17, 1922, he was predeceased by his parents, Essie C. and Mary McDonald. The family moved to Chicago, IL when Laney was nine years old. He became a professional musician at the age of fifteen and a bandleader at seventeen. Graduation from Morgan Park High School at sixteen made him the youngest graduate in the history of that school. He attended Roosevelt University where he majored in business administration. Laney held several varied positions with the US Government which included clerk-typist, medical records transcriber, instructor of medical terminology, administrative assistant to the Chiefs of Radiology and Medicine, personnel management specialist, employee representative in formal disciplinary hearings, Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor, Chief of Staffing and Placement and Chief of Position Classification and Wage Administration, all at the VA West Side Hospital in Chicago. Laney relocated to Albuquerque in 1977 where he began employment with the US Army Corps of Engineers as Chief of Position and pay Management and Chief Manpower Officer. He retired in 1981 primarily because of a cardiac condition. Laney began playing the guitar at the age of six (his father being his first teacher). He started playing the piano at the age of twelve. At seventeen, he organized a four piece musical combo, which had developed into a ten-piece orchestra by the time he moved to Albuquerque. He was a composer, arranger and lyricist. He traveled and played extensively in the US and appeared in Europe on multiple occasions. He worked on the Costa Lines Cruise Ship Carla "C", worked on the Carnival Cruise Line Ship Ms. Holiday and played in Caracas, Venezuela. Laney was the owner of Cetad Music Publishing Company and a member of Broadcast Music Incorporated and compiled a personal compositional catalog of fifty-one tunes. In 1990, he recorded an album of his compositions with the great saxophonist, Richie Cole as a guest artist. Laney is survived by his son, Laney C. McDonald Jr. of Kansas City, MO; daughters, Makea McDonald of Flushing, NY and Celia Benitez of Waukegan, IL, and several grandchildren. Thanks to Janis Mount and the staff of Presbyterian Hospice for their attentive and thoughtful care of Laney. The care provided by Care Free Living for Seniors and Dr. Clark Haskins is also acknowledged with appreciation. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Presbyterian Hospice, c/o Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 2666, 87125-2666, or to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Carla Ramirez, 5800 Lomas Blvd. NE, 87110. Services will be held Saturday, October 27, 2001, 10:00 a.m. at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until time of Service. French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE
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