Rev. Charles E. "Chuck" Donaldson

The funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011, in the sanctuary of Faith Baptist Church. Internment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Hampton Vaughn Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.

A son of the late John Joseph and Mildred Armantha (Tichenor) Donaldson of Morgantown, West Virginia, he was born on November 22, 1945. In 1957 he moved to Akron, Ohio, He graduated from Springfield High School in 1964 and joined the United States Air Force in 1965. On September 9, 1966, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jeannine Maxwell also of Akron, Ohio. He retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 years in the Air Force with great assignments at Eglin AFB, Ft Walton Beach, Florida; Royal Thai Air Base, Takhli, Thailand; The Ohio State University/ROTC Detachment, Columbus, Ohio; Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona; Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; and retired from the 3770th Civil Engineering Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1985. He worked for civil service and medically retired from the 82nd Medical Group in 1995.

In 1991 he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel by the Church of Salvation. He was a Notary Public for the State of Texas for over 15 years. He took great pride in providing his ministerial and notary services wherever needed, never charging anything for his services. He always said this was his way of “giving back,” and one way he could serve his Lord.

As his two sons grew he coached little league and youth football teams; worked with the PTA; and was an officer in the Junior High School and High School Band Parents Organizations. He volunteered for over 25 years for the American Legion through his home post…Thomas Fowler American Legion Post #169 where he held many positions, including Commander for over ten years, presently serving as Finance Officer. He was the Department of Texas Chaplain from 2002-2005 and presently was serving an appointment on the State Five-Year Planning Committee. He was a member of the 40 & 8 Voiture #939 of Wichita Falls (Honor Society of the American Legion). He served locally in many positions including Chef de Gar (Commander), was Grande Chef de Gare (State Commander) in 1995 and National Sou Aumonier (National Vice Chaplain) from 1990-1994. He is a member of VFW Post #8878; a member of D. A. V. Chapter #41, a member of the North Texas Vietnam Veterans Association, and Charter Member and Past President and Chaplain for the North Texas Veterans Council of Wichita Falls, Texas. He served as “Sheriff” for his Wichita Gardens Neighborhood Watch. In October 2007 he was presented a Certificate of Appreciation to “A Great American” by the Texas Veterans Commission. He was also honored in March, 2010, when he was recognized for his humanitarian services to his community and was indoctrinated into the Chapel of Four Chaplains and presented his Legion of Honor Award. He is a member of the Eden Hills Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Joseph Donaldson, and his mother, Mildred Armantha (Tichenor) Donaldson, of Morgantown, West Virginia. He is also preceded by his sister, Alberta Donaldson; and eight brothers, Raymond Donaldson, William Donaldson, Richard Donaldson, Jackie Donaldson, Leonard D. Donaldson, Forrest Donaldson, John Donaldson, and Donald Donaldson. He is survived by his wife, Jeannine Donaldson of Wichita Falls, Texas; his son Todd Donaldson of Hermosa Beach, California; and his son Chad Donaldson with his wife, Kelli Donaldson and their children {all living in Wichita Falls}Trent and Courtney Branch, Payton James, Chandler Donaldson, Kilee Donaldson, and Haley James; and one great grandchild, Preslee Branch. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Richmond of Wichita Falls, Texas, and his brother Gene Donaldson of Morgantown, West Virginia, and his wife Charlotte.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Hampton Vaughn Funeral Home of Wichita Falls, Texas. For those desiring, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post #169 and mailed to P. O. Box 895, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76307.