Memorial Trees
P
Pauline Bonnett
January 19, 2021
C
Cheryl & John Mallonee
January 18, 2021
Memorial trees planted for:
Roger Donahue
Roger Edward Donahue, 71, of Rogersville, MO, died on January 13, 2021 at CoxHealth South Hospital in Springfield, MO from injuries sustained in a December 18 auto accident. The son of Richard and Tressie (Chism) Donahue, Roger was born May 4, 1949 in Russellville, AR where he grew up, but also spent many happy hours with extended family at his mother’s family home in nearby Ben Hur/Falling Water, AR. Roger graduated from Russellville High School in 1967, carrying with him a lifetime of cherished memories as he embarked on his career adventure, enlisting in the United States Air Force. Roger had a distinguished, 22-year career in the Air Force, working in the Administration career field. His first assignment took him to San Antonio, Texas, where he realized he had a natural ability to shoot and joined the Base Competition Shooting Team, leading to a life-long love of shooting firearms. Other assignments included tours in Little Rock, AR, and overseas to Turkey, followed by a remote duty tour to Shemya, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. An assignment to New Mexico brought him back to the Lower 48, and later to Patrick AFB, Florida, where he stayed for nine years and proved to be the assignment of his dreams. There he supported engineers with the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center studying the Space Shuttle Program. During this time, he discovered diving, exploring shipwrecks, and lobster hunting. These pastimes provided him with a lifetime of storytelling, never missing an opportunity to share just how much lobster he had enjoyed after catching it with his own two hands. Roger’s illustrious military career concluded in September of 1989 in Myrtle Beach, SC, where he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. Equally lifechanging for Roger, it was also at Myrtle Beach where he met his wife, Debora and followed her to her Air Force assignments to the Florida Panhandle and later, Alaska. Roger, an avid angler, was happy to return to Alaska and enjoyed filling their freezer with salmon and halibut. Upon Debora’s retirement in 1997, they made four years of memories traveling to nearly every state in their RV home before returning to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, living in their dream home Roger designed and enjoying his days fishing or snow blowing. In 2013, Roger relocated to Rogersville, MO, to be closer to his mother. For the past seven years, he soaked in the peace and beauty of rural Missouri, hopeful to never leave. Roger is survived by his wife, Debora (Moore) Donahue, his son, Richard Donahue his wife Tina, and his daughter, Andrea Fleming, all of Tulsa, OK; two granddaughters, Meredith Fleming and Hannah Donahue, also of Tulsa, OK; and stepbrother, Garry Brazeal, of Mountain Home, AR; and many, many cousins, all of whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his parents Roger will be interred in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO, 65804 in the Spring, date to be announced. Arrangements are under the care of J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Roger’s favorite charity, Ozark Food Harvest, P.O. Box 5746, Springfield, MO 65801-5746 or online at https://ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate/.May 4, 1949 - January 13, 202105/04/194901/13/2021
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