Civil rights leader and community pillar James ‘Cookie’ McDonald has died. The 90 year old McDonald was a local businessman and community activist promoting racial equality. McDonald served as President of the NAACP Washington Branch from 1966-1970. He was a member of the Washington School Board. He was involved in founding the organizations Community Action Southwest and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid Society. McDonald is a Washington native and father of Judge Traci McDonald-Kemp. She said that she is heartbroken but fondly remembers him as “a leader, a mentor, an advocate, a teacher, a righteous, loyal and honorable man and friend. He was a hero to me and so many others.” Funeral arrangements have not been announced.