Donald Wayne Waldron

In celebration of Donnie's life and what would have been his 75th Birthday— on Saturday, October 15, 2022, visitation will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana from 10:00-11:00 AM, with a memorial service honoring his life scheduled to immediately follow. Officiating the service will be family members. A Celebration of Life service will be held later that afternoon at his home on Lake Bistineau for close friends and family.

For 74 years on this earth, Donnie Waldron lived a life true to his spirit. He had a work ethic that surpassed many. Even as he aged in years, he could still outwork most anyone. Whether you were a lifelong friend or a complete stranger, it was of no consequence to Donnie. All were welcome and all were embraced. He was always quick to offer whatever he had to initiate and nurture a genuine connection. Be it a handshake, a helping hand, a story, a peppermint, or a glass of sweet tea, he was ready to make you feel welcome. Whatever it was, he was always quick to encourage those he encountered to “come back and see us.”

Donnie passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 10, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends. Born Donald Wayne Waldron on October 15, 1947 in Shreveport, Louisiana, to parents Martha Sue Dodd and John Davis "Bud" Waldron, he graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1965 and went on to serve in the United States Army during the conflict in Vietnam from 1967-1969. (John 15:13) A proud veteran, Donnie served his country and sported his 25th Infantry Tropic Lightning patch until his last days.

His lifelong career as a maintenance mechanic left many with stories of his aptitude to diagnose and repair just about anything. His quick wit and love for his family were probably the only things that could surpass his mechanical knowledge and his love for building things. A father to five girls and grandfather to fourteen grandchildren, he leaves a lifetime of laughter and stories behind. Donnie led by example and instilled his work ethic in his girls as well as his love for fishing, hunting, and the beauty of the outdoors. He counted himself blessed to spend any morning or evening sharing the beauty of the sunrise on the lake and tried his best to convince his grandkids that he hung that big full moon in the sky just for them. He had two great loves in his life—first was his wife of 38 years, Pam, and the second was the home and life they made together on Lake Bistineau.

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, John Davis “Bud” Waldron, Martha Sue Waldron and his stepmother, Susie Brown. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Howard Waldron, and daughters Darlene Waldron and partner Leann, Tammy Waldron Hughes and husband Mike, Stacey Waldron Santoro and husband Mike, Donnie Kim Weber and husband Eric, Mandy Donae' Ori and husband Joseph, his brother Howard "Bubba" and wife Sandy, his sister Janice Wierick and husband Lynn. Donnie was especially proud of his fourteen grandchildren and had a special place in his heart for his numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his great-nieces and nephews. He will miss the birth of his first great grandchild by a few months; a moment that he would have certainly cherished. There is no doubt that he and his great grandchild had a visit in passing from glory to glory in his journey to rest in peace, fully restored with his Heavenly Father.

The family would like to thank those who faithfully worked to treat Donnie throughout his journey with Alzheimer’s these last few years: Dr. Iqbal Singh and Dr. Richard Haynie; his caregiver Lisa Browning and family friend Belinda Montgomery; and the staff from St. Joseph’s Hospice.