Mr. Vernon R. Donald's Obituary
Beloved husband, father, and granddaddy, Vernon Ray (Jim) Donald, 92, of St. Petersburg Florida, went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, under the care of Suncoast Hospice Pinellas Park.
Jim was born December 21, 1925 in Kenova, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Tella Parsley Donald, 6 brothers, 1 sister, and his son, David.
Jim, is survived by his wife Iva Donald, son Alvin Donald, 8 grandchildren: Jackie Donovan, Christy Winans, Jeffrey Donald, David Donald, Chase Donald, Elizabeth Abbott, John Donald,and Micah Donald, 9 great grandchildren: Jonathan Heers, Christopher Heers, Ori Heers, Joshua Donovan, Chloe Winans, Benjamin Winans, Lincoln Donald, Evelyn Strait and Keegan Donald. And 3 great-great grandchildren: Danica Heers, Sophie Heers, and Sienna Heers; 1 brother Allen Jennings, the husbands and wives of the above, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Thank you to his home caregivers Theresa and Louise, hospice, and family for all the loving care given over the past years.
Jim completed high school and went to Millwright Trade School. He then went to work in the Navy shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia during WWII. After the war, he went home to marry his sweetheart, Iva. Jim went on to be journeyman Carpenter and Joiner throughout his career. He finished his career as a union carpenter out of Huntington West Virginia and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1973, where he lived out his remaining life. During that time, Jim was proud to renovate The International Pentecostal Church of Christ in Kenova, West Virginia, now known as Spirit of Faith Church, for which they made him an honorary lifetime member. He was a Pentecostal and member of Suncoast Cathedral church in St. Petersburg. He enjoyed building sets for their Easter and Christmas productions as well as being a cast member in the plays in past years. Jim loved family gatherings, and developed passion for gardening and fishing, along the way, as wells as continuing his wood working craft. His son, Alvin said, "He was the best carpenter I ever knew."
Funeral services will be conducted at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th Street, North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Viewing 12:30 to 2 with services starting at 2pm on Sunday, March 11, 2018 and funeral procession directly following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at memorialparkfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to "Spirit of Faith" church, 1800Sycamore Street, Kenova WV, 25530 to aid in restoration after fire devastation in June of 2017. Make check payable to the church, or visit: https://www.gofundme.com/spiritoffaithchurch
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