Jody Donaldson

Jody was born January 20, 1954, at Scott & White Hospital. His given name was Billy Joe Donaldson, Jr., but he had the nickname Jody all his life. His fondest memories growing up included hanging out at Papa’s grocery store, playing with his first cousins in Moody at Nanny and Pa’s house, being involved in MYF and the Order of DeMolay. He attended Temple ISD schools and graduated from Temple High School in 1971.

His first job was bagging groceries, but he only lasted one day. While in junior high and high school, he kept statistics for the football teams. He would travel with the KTEM radio broadcast team, as well as working at the telegram on Friday nights typing up the sport’s reports. After spending time at KTEM, he wanted to work in the business, so he got his 3rd class radio license with a broadcast endorsement. Later, while at Baylor, he got a job at KEFC-FM. Jody was also a student assistant for Baylor Sports Information. During home games, he would work in the press box. When he came home from Baylor, Coach Bob McQueen hired Jody to be the Temple Wildcat football announcer when he was 18. In 1979, Jody returned to the Baylor press box where he had the honor to announce the Temple Wildcat State Championship game. He continued being the Voice of the Wildcats for 47 years. In November 2013, the THS band spelled out “JODY” during their halftime performance to celebrate his 40th season announcing Wildcat home games.

Theatre was a big part of Jody’s life. His first experience was taking a high school theatre class. He appeared on stage as a policeman in “Arsenic and Old Lace." Also, Durward Howard asked Jody to work on the stage crew. He ran sound and was taught how to run the light board, sound console, and stage equipment. He also helped him record albums performed by the band and the Polyfoniks. Jody got involved in the Temple Civic Theatre when they performed “The Music Man” in 1969. He was working at American Printing in 1977 when Jo Ann Muchmore was hired as the new artistic director. They worked together on the play programs and season brochures.

Jody’s community involvement included Temple Jaycees, Rotary Club of Temple, Camp RYLA, Temple High School Theatre Arts, Rank Amateur Night, Mayborn Convention Center Advisory Board, and the Temple Civic Theatre.

The biggest influence in Jody’s life was his lovely wife, Janet, who taught him how to love. He had always said he would be a bachelor, but his bachelor plans vanished after meeting Janet at the Belton Journal.

Other “strong-willed” women in his life included Jo Ann Muchmore, Irene Dubberley, Ann Chamlee, Natasha Tolleson, and Cindy Fowler.

Jody left this world on January 28, 2025. Gone before him are his parents, Bill and Wanda Donaldson, his paternal grandparents, Cecil and Ruby Donaldson, and his maternal grandparents, Doyle and Lona Lamberth. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janet, his sisters, Cindy Fowler (Guy) and Terri Pearce (Bobby), his nieces, Brook Fowler, Connie Zarate (Elizar), Christi Perfetto (John), and Shannon Chaboude (Scott), his nephews, Jason Fowler (Jocelyn), Brandon Pearce (Megan), Kevin Pearce (Kathryn), Scott L. Scott (Lori), and Brandon Culpepper (Lindsay), and his godchildren. Alexandra LaMotte, Spencer Tolleson (Macee), and Emma Tolleson (George).

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 2pm at Temple Bible Church – Creekside Building.

Memorials may be made to TEF – Class of 1971 scholarship, Feed My Sheep, or Temple Civic Theatre.