Vernon "Red" Donaghe

Vernon “Red” Donaghe was born April 28, 1915 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He passed from this life in Houston, Texas on September 30, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Helen M. Venard Donaghe; Son, Robert E. Donaghe and Daughter-in-Law, Sandra L. Cooke Donaghe; Granddaughters, Maureen E. Wheeler and husband, Will Wheeler, and Colleen O. Hicks and husband, Corby Hicks; Great-Granddaughter, Samantha E. Wheeler, and Great-Grandson, Austin R. Wheeler, and sole surviving sister of 9 brothers and sisters, Rene Chinn.

“Red” and Helen moved from Kansas City, Kansas to Houston, Texas in 1940. He worked for W.R. Etie Sheet Metal as a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 54 until he formed a partnership with Ben J. Pinter and did business as Texas Sheet Metal in 1953. He was a life member of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. In 1980 he sold the company to Mr. Pinter and formed RED Metal Inc. with Robert Donaghe. In 1986 the company was closed and the equipment was sold to Carl Jackowsky and Mark Finney who operate as Texas Metal Specialty. Red acted as an advisor and consultant for this firm until his mid 90’s.

“Red” was a 60 year member of Woodland Lodge No. 1157 AF & AM, Scottish Rite and Arabia Temple.

Red’s second avocation and main recreation was square dancing from 1947 through 1984. “Red” danced, taught, and also called square dancing locally and nationally. Some of the associations and clubs Red was associated with are: Houston Area Callers Association, Texas State Federation of Square and Round Dancers, International Association of Square Dance Callers, Shrine Square Dancers, Crescent M Square Dancers, Silver Spurs Dancers, Hey Lollies Dancers, and Longhorn Club of Pasadena.

In 1980 he bought their first motor home and started taking trips. He and Helen joined Cool Sams. They were able to visit almost all of the states, and made three trips to Alaska in their motor homes.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Vernon V. Donaghe to:

Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston

attn. Donations Department

6977 Main Street

Houston, Texas 77030