George Gordon MacDonald

George Gordon MacDonald, 75, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. He was born on June 11, 1944 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Gordon Summers and Mary Shaw MacDonald. George was a student of the Sufi Order of the West and was given the spiritual name of “Sherdil”, meaning Lion Heart. He was proud of his rich Scottish heritage and explored Scotland and England by motorcycle with a good friend when he was younger. He also toured Turkey and India with a group of Sufi friends and his teacher. George was well-traveled in the U.S. as well, having lived in Buffalo, NY; Boulder, Colorado; Baltimore, MD; Pittsfield, MA; New Mexico; Asheville, NC; and Sarasota, FL, before settling in Charlotte. He had a love for animals, especially dogs, and always had a canine companion with him throughout his life. George also loved hugs and his loving spirit will live in our hearts and memories. 

George is survived by his wife, Linda Brown, whom he spent 35 years with; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Andrew Rickman of Fort Mill, SC; stepdaughter, Jessica Dowling of Massachusetts; grandchildren, Ethan Rickman, Colin Dowling, Keegan Dowling; numerous cousins, and his family of friends in the Sufi community.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Humane Society, a local animal shelter or rescue organization, or the Sufi Order of the West (now known as The Inayati Order in Richmond, VA).