Col David William Donovan

Col. David William Donovan, 94, departed this life, December 9th 2011 at Stewart Health Center of Springmoor Retirement Community in Raleigh, NC. He was the only child of Fulton David Donovan and Maurtile Davis Donovan-Britton, and was born in Cedartown, Georgia, October 15, 1917. Mr. Donovan attended public schools at Augusta, Georgia and Raleigh, graduating from Georgia Military Academy, Atlanta, Georgia. He attended N.C. State College, entering active military service as Second Lieutenant, Infantry. His military service was continuous from date of commission, November 3, 1938 until retirement October 15, 1977 as Colonel, Army of the United States (AUS), serving in three components: AUS; Army Reserve; and Army National Guard of the United States.

Following release from active military service, Colonel Donovan entered employment with the N.C. Adjutant General Department, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff – Personnel, Chief of Staff, and Vice Chief of Staff – State Operations, retiring December 31, 1983. From September 1986 – February 1990, Colonel Donovan served as Wake County Director of Emergency Management.

Colonel Donovan was an active member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church for many years. His civic interest consisted of service on the Wake County Board of Health; Chairman, Wake County Board of Social Services; Vice Chairman North Carolina Association of County Boards of Social Services; State Council for Social Legislation; North Carolina DHR Child Support Enforcement Task Force; Triangle “J” Council of Government; Raleigh Correctional Center for Women (RCCW) Resource Council; Board of Directors, NCCIW Prison MATCH of North Carolina. He was a former member of the Raleigh Kiwanis Club, serving on the Special Projects Committee, Foster Children Committee and the Foundation Board of Directors.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Michele C. Donovan.

Col. Donovan is survived by his wife of 63 years, Claudene J. Donovan, formerly of Statesville, NC; son, David W. Donovan (Janice) of Valle Crucis, NC; 5 grandchildren, Robert D. Wickham (Sarah) of Bethesda, Maryland; David A. Wickham of Wilmington, NC; Travis F. Donovan (Sarah) of Chapel Hill, NC; Cory Wellborn (Joe) of Raleigh, NC and Rachel Donovan of Wilmington, NC; 5 great grandchildren, Brooks Wickham, Caroline Wickham, Wells Wickham, Evie Donovan, and Samuel Wellborn.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 12, 2011 at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. A private graveside will be held at Montlawn Memorial Park, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, c/o Michele C. Donovan Scholarship Fund, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneRaleigh.com