Mr. Roger John Donaldson Jr.

Roger was born on April 16, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of the late Roger and Cecile Donaldson and the much-loved baby brother of his sister, Audrey. Although he lived in many places, he always kept New Orleans in his heart.

After graduating from De La Salle High School in 1956, he studied petroleum engineering and was a member of the Air Force ROTC at LSU, graduating in 1960. On April 29, 1961, he wed the love of his life, Marsha Ann Maxent, beginning a more than 60-year marriage. After serving in the Air Force from 1961 to 1966, Roger continued his service in the Virginia and Maryland National Guard until 1975. In 1966, he joined American Airlines where he was a pilot and flight instructor until he retired in 1998. Although he retired as a pilot, his love of flying and of airplanes never ended.

His six children eagerly awaited his returns from flight trips, during which time he enjoyed playing pick-up games of football and basketball at home. He cherished his time with his family and was always willing to play a game or share stories. Having been an avid reader, he especially relished discussing history with anyone who would listen. Roger also enjoyed travelling extensively with Marsha and the children, and in later years, their spouses, too, taking them on amazing trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and the Mediterranean. Family and faith were always of primary importance to him. Many of the children’s favorite stories involve the long car trips he would take them on to ensure that they were able to spend time with their aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Roger was preceded in death by his eldest son, David, and his sister, Audrey Kornrumpf. He is survived by his wife, Marsha; his son Richard and wife Christine; his son Stephen and wife Katherine; his daughter Susan; his son Robert and his wife Emily; and his son Patrick and his wife Begonia; and his sixteen grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Colleyville on Monday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, we would love to honor Roger by making donations to the American Heart Association.

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