May 25, 1960 – Feb. 4, 2018

 

VIDALIA — Memorial services for Gerard Wynne Donald, 57, of Brusly, La., who died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, at his residence, will be 6:30 p.m. Friday at Vidalia First Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Reynolds officiating.    

Gerard Wynne Donald was born May 25, 1960, in Natchez, the son of Johnnie Donald and Essie Taylor Donald.

He grew up in Vidalia working at his family’s business at the age of 12, Donald’s Camper Village. He began working in the oil field as a roustabout when he was 18, and through the years he became a petroleum safety specialist. He was a member of the National Association of Safety Professionals. He later moved his family to the Rocky Mountains in Summit County, Colo., and created a professional property management company where they lived for a number of years. Later, Gerard and his wife, Regina, worked together through the years owning two restaurants in the Baton Rouge area.

Gerard was passionate about riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, playing music, traveling and was an avid snow skier. He always had a great sense of humor and always kept his family first. Some of his fondest memories were cheering his sons on through the baseball years and snow skiing with family year after year. He always said his greatest accomplishment was his family. He was a great father, loving husband and true friend to all who knew him.

Mr. Donald was preceded in death by his parents.

He was also preceded in death by his dog, Nelly, of 16 years.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Regina Donald; two sons, Glen Donald and Rod Donald and wife, Lauren, all of Brusly; two grandsons, Jett and Jack Donald; two granddaughters, Lyla Mae and Celie Donald; one brother, Johnnie Donald Jr. of Vidalia; and two sisters, Pam Higgins and husband, Jimmy, and Teressa Reynolds and husband, Eddie, all of Vidalia.

The family extends a special thanks to Canon Hospice in Baton Rouge; Dr. Richards; nurse, Jessica Dunaway; caregiver, Charlie; special friends, Brenda Campbell and David and Clara Deculus.

Also, a special thank you to Dr. Phillip Padgett, Dr. Genevieve Maronge of Houma, La., and Dr. Brian Bienvenue of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge and Dr. Andrew Lauve of Pennington Cancer Center.