More detail on this person: Ronald Stanley Donakowski CW4 (RET) Ronald Stanley Donakowski went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 11, 2013 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center, due to an illness. He was 65. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Rucker, AL with Father David Shoemaker officiating. Burial will be in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. eastern time on Monday, November 18, 2013. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the Main Post Chapel. Ron was born the youngest of five children to Bernard (Ben) and Stella Donakowski on the morning of May 6, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Detroit and attended several years of college before joining the United States Army. Following flight school, Ron flew combat helicopters in Vietnam. He was seriously injured August 6, 1970 while in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart Medal. Upon his recovery and hospitalization he moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama where he became an Army helicopter flight instructor. Jeanna was born while he was at Fort Rucker. Ron and family were sent to Isfhan, Iran with Bell Helicopter International for a period of almost three years during the reign of Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was America's Middle-Eastern friend. Rebecca was born there. After returning to the states and Fort Rucker, Alabama, he then, again, began teaching flight instruction until 2003. He then moved over the the Night Vision Devices Branch, also at Fort Rucker, where he served until retirement on August 31, 2013. Ron will be remembered for being a loving, father, brother and friend. He loved life and was a joy to be around. He will be greatly missed. Ron has three daughters, Van Lam, Jeanna Marie Heath, and Rebecca Lynn McCollough. He also has three grandchildren, Morgan Hailey Saro, 19 of Fergus Falls, MN and twins, Cameron Daniel and Claire Victoria McCollough, 10 of Little Falls, MN. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Stella Donakowski and one sister, Bernadine (Donakowski) Piaskowski. Survivors include, brother Richard (Liz) Donakowski of Michigan, brother Jerry (Sharon) Donakowski of Louisiana, and sister Dolly (Walt) Donakowski of Michigan; Marie-Anne Wilson, friend, Enterprise, AL; daughters, Van Lam, Spokane, WA; Jeanna Heath, Fergus Falls, MN; Rebecca McCollough, son-in-law, Garrett McCollough; grandchildren, Morgan Saro, Fergus Falls, MN; Cameron and Claire McCollough, Little Falls, MN; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory, (334) 393-2273, is in charge of arrangements.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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