Rev. Donald Moore Wadkins

“May the Lord watch between thee and me while we are absent one from another”. The Reverend Donald Moore Wadkins, a son of the late Robert and Voncille (nee. Ledbetter) Wadkins was born on March 15, 1940 in Tallassee, Alabama. He passed peacefully on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at North Woods Village at Inverness Lakes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While living in Tallassee, he completed his education at Tallassee High School, and later entered the Navy. On May 20, 1961, he married Rose Sharon Faulkner. After moving to Fort Wayne, he gained employment with the Ironworkers Local #147, he also worked for Food Marketing and as a Relator. He was called into the ministry and became Pastor of Ashley United Methodist and Hudson United Methodist Churches from 2007 – 2016 serving both congregations simultaneously. Donald had a wonderful sense of humor, “He never met a stranger,” and was very sociable. He loved auto racing, pit crewed on an ARCA Race Car and his favorite race car was one without doors racing on dirt. He was also very fond of marching bands and jazz bands. He enjoyed serving as a bus chaperone with his sons’ school band trips. He loved traveling with his wife. Some highlights include: the Rose Bowl, Disney in Florida, cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and their 50th Anniversary to Discovery Cove in Orlando. Don, or “Pastor Don”, was a member of the Summit City Lodge #170 F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and York Rite Mason, and Past Potentate of Mizpah Shrine. He enjoyed his Masonic family and the friendship and brotherly love of fellow Freemasons. He was also President of the Springwood Civic Association. He was preceded in death by a son, Bart C. Wadkins in 1984 and a sister, Dorothy Rutland. Although Don has now joined the Great Architect of the Universe in the Celestial Lodge above, his love, legacy and precious memories will continue on with his loving wife of 61 years, Rose Sharon Wadkins; sons, Brad (Suzanne) Wadkins and Brent (Nannette) Wadkins; a grandson, Brody Wadkins; and granddaughters, Megan Wadkins and Bethany (Jamie) Brown; a sister, Sherry (Richard) Atkins and brother, Chuck Meadows; other relatives and dear friends. A Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, February 5, 2023, at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes – Pine Valley Park 1320 E. Dupont Road with a Masonic Service at 4:30 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 5:00PM. Preferred Memorials to: Mizpah Shrine Transportation Fund or Alzheimer’s Association Don will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the Wadkins family.