Donnie Lamar Gramling, Sr., 71, joined his parents, Robert William and Ruby Mercer Gramling, in heaven on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Mr. Gramling passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and children. His family wishes to express gratitude for the tender care he received from the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Mayo Clinic and from Community Hospice & Palliative Care.
Donnie Lamar Gramling, Sr. was born on February 22, 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in his hometown, graduating from Englewood High School where he was an Allstar in football and track. An outstanding athlete, Donnie rose to legendary status as a wide-receiver at Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College (NEO), transferring to the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators as well. His football prowess at NEO was never forgotten and in October of 2017, he was inducted into the NEO Hall of Fame. Mr. Gramling was President of Southeastern Metals Manufacturing Company in Jacksonville from 1977 to 1999, receiving the President’s Award from the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) in 1994. A 32nd Degree Mason from Ribault Lodge, Mr. Gramling was a member of the Mystic Shrine and a Noble of the Scottish Rite Temple. A long-time member of University Christian Church, Donnie Gramling was a loyal friend who loved to laugh and dance, and never lost his positive attitude. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing and was as comfortable in overalls as he was in a tuxedo at the Ritz Carlton. Donnie Gramling was a man who was loved by everyone and greeted all with the same friendly smile.
Loved and respected husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, Donnie is survived by his adoring wife of 43 years, Nadine Gramling, his children: Tonya Gramling Steele (Steve), Scott Gramling (Kelly) and Donnie Gramling, Jr., Rebecca Gallagher, his grandchildren: Christopher, Lindsay, Addison, Jordan and Karrah Gramling, his great-grandchildren: Trevor, Bailey, Jackson, Amelia, and Riker Gramling, his siblings: Larry Gramling (Linda), Mitchell Scott (Cindy) and Monica Scott, and nieces: Stephanie Trefry and Lauren Zytowski.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 24 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. The funeral service will take place at 10:00am on Monday, June 25 at Ft. Caroline Baptist Church, 11428 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225, followed by interment at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens. Masonic funeral rites will be held at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Donnie Lamar Gramling, Sr. to Ft. Caroline Baptist Church (address above), Angelwood, Inc., P. O. Box 24925, Jacksonville, FL 32241 or Pace Center for Girls, 1 West Adams Street, Ste 301, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
HARDAGE-GIDDENS CHAPEL HILLS, 850 Saint Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225, is serving the family.
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