After high school, Donell attended college with the desire to begin a history professor. Although he decided to take a different route with his career, his love of history followed him throughout his life. Donell came down to Florida from Ohio in 1983 and worked at Cypress Gardens in the landscaping department. It was at Cypress Gardens in 1984 that he met the love of his life. In 1985, he and Melodie were married at the Gazebo on the Cypress Gardens property. In 1989 Donell started his own landscaping business which he still ran until the day of his passing. In his spare time Donell enjoyed classic cars, classic rock music, painting, collecting Hot Wheels cars and loved dogs.
Donell is survived by his wife of 34 years Melodie Gross, daughters Eva Gross and Roberta Norris, mother Delois Sensabaugh, grandmother Eva Stoyer, sister Billie Marshand and brothers Terry Sensabaugh and Larry Gross. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and his fur babies.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Auburndale. Following the visitation will be a service set to begin at the funeral home at 12:00pm.
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