We'll miss you Grandpa

On October 3rd my grandpa died. He had pnemonia and was having trouble breathing. He survived lung cancer and leukemia, he was a fighter.

My grandpa took me and my brothers like we were his own grandkids and treated us with the utmost respect. And he also gave me my wonderful dad Gary and my awsome grandma Bobbie Jean. I will be forever grateful to my wonderful awsome Grandpa John. I love him and miss him everyday. Here is his obituary. I wish I would have known he loved bowling, I would have challenged him to a game!

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John L. Donaldson
John L. Donaldson, 81, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2007. John was born June 11, 1926, in Douglas, Arizona to Iva Belle & Hyrum Donaldson. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Bobbie Jean Donaldson of Scottsdale, as well as his two sons, Gary Donaldson (Joanne) of Mesa, and Scott Donaldson (Mary) of Scottsdale. John was preceded in death by his only daughter, Denise Ann Thomason. He was a wonderful "Grandpa" to Erika, Douglas, Dillan, Carter, Kevin, Eric, Stephanie, and Brian. Finally, he was the one and only "Uncle Bud" to dozens of nieces and nephews, each of whom he treated as his favorite. A 1943 graduate of Douglas High School, John proudly served in the Navy during World War II. Following his Naval service, John drove a 7-Up delivery truck throughout Southeast Arizona, and then worked as a fireman for the Douglas Fire Department. He then began his long career with the Employment & Training Administration division of the Arizona Department of Economic Security in Bisbee & Yuma. In 1963, he moved his family to Scottsdale, where he completed his 30+ year DES career in Phoenix. Once retired, John devoted himself to many hobbies, including "piddling" around the house, where he could fix just about anything with a paperclip and some string! He loved showing off his bowling skills & playing solitaire. Upon acquiring his first computer and becoming versed in email, John made it a point to inform us all of the daily happenings in the Donaldson household. He uplifted everyone with links to inspirational websites that showcased heartwarming poems about love and the importance of family. John was surrounded by his family during his last moments. His warmth, thoughtfulness, high level of integrity, and cantankerous sense of humor will be missed enormously by all who knew and loved him. We will never forget the jokes and laughter he brought us and the way he treated each of us as individuals, with the highest degree of respect. We will continue to wish for "peace for the whole world" as John dreamed of throughout his life. A visitation will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, October 8, 2007, followed by a 3:00pm funeral service at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John Donaldson's honor to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3877 N. 7th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85014.