Sam Sun McDonald, known affectionately as “Sukhi”, passed away at home on the morning of October 22nd, 2026.

Sukhi was born in Jongsong Nammyeon Gimcheon-Si, Republic of Korea, in 1945 to parents Jong-mahn and Cheon-dong Yi. She was introduced to her future husband, James, at a gathering after he was stationed in Korea. James ended up in the country simply by chance; he was originally destined for Vietnam. By fate, he and Sukhi met and began a beautiful life of 57 years together after getting married in Korea. 

First, the pair came back to the United States in Alabama. Eventually, they made a move down to Jacksonville, Florida, where Sukhi’s true love of golfing began and she became more serious about the sport. Sukhi won awards in the late 1990’s like “Queen of the Month” and “Hole in One” with the Ladies Golf Association of Mill Cove Golf Club, now known as Blue Sky Golf Club. Sukhi even got to meet a golfing legend in her lifetime, Arnold Palmer. As she grew older and moved down to San Antonio’s Tampa Bay Golf and Country community, she continued to golf until injuries prevented her from playing, 12 years before her passing. 

Sukhi worked many jobs in her life and had supported the couple as Jim had finished his final semester of schooling. Her most notable was as a sail seamstress, working on stitching the canvas fabric for yachts. Sukhi was more than a hard worker, she was also a loving mother to their son, John.

Sukhi will be fondly remembered by all who knew her: her husband James McDonald Jr., her son John, family in the United States and Korea, the golfing community, neighbors, and her friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be made in Sukhi's honor to your local food bank or a charity of your choice.