James Donaldson

James R. Donaldson of Cheyenne passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011 at the Davis Hospice Center. He was 75 years old. James Richard Donaldson was born on February 20, 1936 in Torrington, Wyoming, the son James and Evelyn (Pettit) Bell. His mother passed away when he was 12 days old, in which he would be adopted by Claude and Arthelia Kathryn (Bell) Donaldson. He lived the first 7 years of his life in Gering, Nebraska, then moving to Cheyenne where he spent most of his life. After graduating from high school, James married his first wife, Ruth Windmill. On May 5, 1989, he married his second wife, Joyce Kay (Daake) Heath in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Together they have eight children. James worked for Western Union for 32 years starting as a bicycle messenger and retiring as a wire chief. Later he worked for the Board of Public Utilities for 11 years until his retirement in August of 1997. After his retirement, he enjoyed living his life to the fullest. He loved spending time with his family and spending time in the great outdoors. He was an avid sportsman. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by all that knew him. James is survived by his wife, Joyce Donaldson of Cheyenne; his sons, James "Rick" (Debbie) Donaldson, Jr. of Littleton, Colorado, Gary (Veronica) Heath of Brier Washington, Ron (Carrie) Donaldson of Everett, Washington, Randy Donaldson of Everett, Washington, Darren Heath of Baraboo, Wisconsin and Todd (Vonda) Heath of Cheyenne, Wyoming; daughters, Angel Marolf of Picayune, Mississippi and Peggy Sue (Gary) Reilly of Kirkland, Washington; a brother, Russell (Helen) Donaldson of Lakewood, Colorado. He was also survived by 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Ruth Donaldson in 1984. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, March 4, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Lincolnway Chapel, with Bishop Tony Young officiating. Interment will follow at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be James "Rick" Donaldson, Jr., Gary Heath, Todd Heath, Jordan Donaldson, Jace Donaldson, John Picot. In lieu of flowers, family has asked that contributions be made to the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore, Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Service

Friday, March 4, 2011 10:00am

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Lincolnway Chapel

3312 East Lincolnway

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Interment

Cheyenne Memorial Gardens

Highway 30

CHEYENNE, WY 82009