John "Sandy" Macdonell, 34, went to heaven on October 2, 2016.

John was born in Leesburg on July 3, 1982 and lived in Clermont/Groveland, Florida. As a young boy he was a Boy Scout and participated in many church, school and community groups. He was a Christian.  Attending Clermont Elementary, Clermont Middle and South Lake High School, he graduated in 2000. John enlisted in the USMC that same year. After graduating Basic Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC he went to school of Infantry at Camp LeJeune, NC. Charlie Company  1 ^st Platoon at Camp Geiger. He received his Gray Belt in 2002. He was stationed at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, 2 ^nd Battalion, 3 ^rd Marines, and 3rd Marine Division. He was later stationed at USMC Base Okinawa, Japan. He achieved the rank of Corporal. He received the following decorations: Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 ^nd awrd) National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Expert Rifle Badge, Expert Pistol Badge.  He also received a citation for outstanding performance as an Anti-Terrorist Marine Security Guard onboard the USS Saturn and was a member of the essential crew for Operation Enduring Freedom. After leaving the Corp he lived in Montana and North Carolina where he attended Western Carolina University before returning to Florida. Most recently he has been hauling cattle from Florida to the western US.

He was preceded in death by his sister Holliday Singleton Macdonell in 1981.He is survived by his parents Alex Macdonell, Jr  (Barbara) Groveland, FL, brother Kelly Macdonell, Dallas, TX, brother Jeffrey Macdonell, Sr., Groveland, FL and nephews Jeffrey, Jr and Jesse Macdonell, maternal grandmother Berniece Singleton Swanson, aunts, uncles and cousins.

An avid traveler he was a movie lover, pizza and steak lover and college football fan but his real abiding passion was his family, friends and his Ninja Otis. He sought to encourage everyone he met, had a zest for life and believed in the power of a smile. He will be greatly missed.