Joe was born and raised in Oklahoma. He attended high school in Lawton, Oklahoma where he ran track and won the school’s award for the athlete with the highest-grade point average.
Joe was the salutatorian of his high school class. He did not qualify as the valedictorian because he got a C grade in typing the semester he had a sprained wrist. The typing class may have saved his life, however, because his typing skills kept him in the Army’s clerk office stateside instead of being sent to the front line in the Korean War.
Joe married Nancy Lee Burris in July 1950. Nancy died in February 2020, just months before their 70th wedding anniversary. They were a great team.
Joe served in a leadership capacity in churches located in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Joe and Nancy attended the Beltline Road Church of Christ in Irving, Texas for 44 years. Dad served as a song leader, deacon, treasurer, teacher, and elder. He touched the lives of many families with his service.
Joe was a wonderful singer. He used this talent to serve others. He led singing every Sunday. He also sang for many weddings and funerals.
Dad’s love of music was not conquered by his dementia. He could remember and sing most of the gospel songs he loved.
Joe was a great father. He listened to his children and taught more by example than lecture.
Joe is survived by Lynda Donley, his sister. He is also survived by his daughter, Lee Lacy and her husband, David Lacy. Joe is also survived by his son Ray Donley and his wife Aileen Hooks, and their children Grayson Donley and Flannery Bessette.
We all miss him, but look forward to seeing Joe and Nancy again in heaven.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Donley family.
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