Jacques Edward Donaldson

On June 25, 2021 Jacques (Jack) E. Donaldson, Captain, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy (Retired) reported for final duty and eternal rest in God’s Kingdom. Born at home in Masury Ohio on January 29, 1929, to Claude W. and Gladys L. (Nichols) Donaldson, he graduated from Brookfield (OH) HS in 1947 and Tri-State University (Angola, IN) with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering in 1954.

He married his highschool sweetheart, Dora Mae (Dee) Cleveland (Brookfield, OH) on August 9, 1950. He and Dee embarked on a wonderful journey courtesy of the United States Navy. With Jack joining the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps in 1955, they traveled the world with tours in Philadelphia (PA), Glynco (GA), Madrid (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Lakehurst (NJ), Tulane University in New Orleans (Masters Degree in Civil Engineering), Washington DC, Rodman (Panama), Saigon (Vietnam), Annapolis (MD), Charleston (SC), Naples (Italy), San Bruno (CA) and Bangor (WA), where he retired in 1982. He was the recipient of several awards and citations; including his Vietnam era Bronze Star with Combat V. His post-Navy employment included working at Windermere Real Estate in Silverdale, WA.

With the rest of his family living on the East Coast, in 2008 Jack and Dee uprooted from their 28-year residence on Bainbridge Island, WA to journey east to Wilmington, and then Apex, NC.

Jack was a loving, supportive husband to his wife Dee, especially during her long 27-year stroke recovery; a wonderful father, role-model and mentor to his kids and grandkids. “Grandpa Jack” especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always joining in laughter, family get-togethers and especially birthday celebrations. He loved sharing stories of his early Navy days, his involvement with the Hattaland Partnership (Poulsbo Central Market), and his intense interest in genealogy. He was especially proud of his computer prowess and interest in computer technology, beginning with his early Commodore-64 and then surrounded by his ever growing collection of computers, floppy disks, hard disks and hard drives He was always a mechanically minded DIY(er), and will fondly be remembered for his interest in cars; starting with his 1936 Ford, then his 1941 Chevy, and his neverending collection of Mercedes vehicles (from his first one in 1960, his favorite 1967 “old blue” through to his most recent 2015).

He is survived by his son, Mark (Youngstown, OH) and wife Linda (Waack of Manitowoc, WI); daughter Diane (Philadelphia, PA) and husband Robert Wright (of St. Johnsbury, Vermont); grandson Eric (Norfolk, VA) and wife Amanda (Kearns of Palm Beach Gardens, FL), along with great-granddaughters Emelia and Lucy (both Raleigh, NC); granddaughter Jillian (Guam, USA) and husband Chris (Supranowitz of Rochester, NY) and great-grandson Carter and great-granddaughter Harper (both Wilmington, NC).

Preceding him in death is his wife (of 66 years) Dee, his parents, and siblings William, Robert, James, Charles (Butch), Tom and Karen.

As suggested by his family, memorial contributions may be made to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association or the USO.