Allen "Al" Harvey Donaldson's Obituary
On the evening of January 7th, 2023, Allen (Al) Harvey Donaldson of Tallahassee Florida danced into Heaven at the age of 84.
Al was born October 3, 1938, as the youngest child of Edgar F. Donaldson and Rachel C. Donaldson of Annapolis Maryland. He entered into military service with the United States Air Force in 1955 and served until 1975, including tours of duty in Thailand, Holland, Germany and Alaska. Al’s twenty- year career in the USAF included many duties such as aircraft mechanic and even proceeded into Flight Scheduling.
He married the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Hope Rodgers in 1959 and they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past July. Al was a musician and would often be found dancing with Betty at the American Legion and other venues. Together they were active in church and made life-long friends.
After his military career, Al's love and passion for all things mechanical grew into him becoming an automotive repair expert and he owned a mobile repair shop “The Master’s Mechanic” and later “Al's Westside Exxon” in Tallahassee. Al loved cars, enjoyed owning a variety of classic cars over the years and belonged to several car clubs in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.
Above all these things, Al acutely felt a responsibility to his two greatest loves: His God and His family. He was truly the epitome of "Beloved Husband and Father". Al had a warm smile and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone enjoyed his sense of humor. His pursuit of excellence in all things marked his life. He was loved by all who knew him, and he will be missed.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Edgar F. Donaldson, Jr. and Claude B. Donaldson. He is survived by his wife Betty, his sister Helen I. Harber, his children and his grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of life service on Tuesday, January 17th, at 1:00 p.m. at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Apalachee Parkway with full Military Honors. There will be a private family gathering afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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