Sidney E. Donaldson, 88, of Fort Smith, died February 1, 2011 in Fort Smith after a valiant struggle to recuperate from a stroke.
Sid was born March 19, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to loving parents, Blanche and Sidney Donaldson, Sr.
On October 2, 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations for 30 months: Hawaii, Saipan, Okinawa (le Shima), honorably discharged December 4, 1945. Subsequently, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors in mechanical Engineering in June of 1949. He met the love of his life, Maxine Luemma Wakey while at home in Minneapolis; they married and moved to Neenah, Wisconsin to begin their lives together.
His entire career was in the Paper Industry for Marathon, which was later acquired by American Can, then James River. They began raising their four children in Neenah, Wisconsin and after 11 years at American Can headquarters in Connecticut, the family moved to Fort Smith in 1980. He was then offered the opportunity of a lifetime as Director of Operations for Dixie Cup, Fort Smith Division. Upon his retirement in 1984 he immediately began projects such as building his dream home on Rush Lake, Minnesota, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and finally, designing and managing the AARP Tax Aide Program in Fort Smith for over 22 years. The AARP volunteers recruited for this program became his second family. Each year as tax season approached he came alive with the anticipation of working with the fine men and women who continue to donate their time and energies.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine Donaldson of Fort Smith; one daughter, Diane Fagan of Fort Smith; three sons, Jerry and wife Mary Donaldson of Fort Smith, James and wife Leigh Donaldson of Morgan Hill, CA., and Scott Donaldson of Fort Worth, TX; seven grandchildren, Samantha, Trevor, Nyah, Tristan, Samuel, Lisa, and Matthew; and three great grandchildren, Haleh, Nathan, and MacKenzie.
Graveside service was 10:00 AM Friday, February 4, 2011 in the U.S. National Cemetery with a Memorial Service in Honor of his life, at 11:00 AM, in the First Christian Church of Fort Smith all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Honorary Pallbearers were Bart Hindley, Arliss Daniels, Jesse Lewis, Dick Kutschall, Dave Arnold, and Sid Martin.
Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Sidney E. Donaldson, 88, of Fort Smith, died February 1, 2011 in Fort Smith after a valiant struggle to recuperate from a stroke.
Sid was born March 19, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to loving parents, Blanche and Sidney Donaldson, Sr.
On October 2, 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations for 30 months: Hawaii, Saipan, Okinawa (le Shima), honorably discharged December 4, 1945. Subsequently, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors in mechanical Engineering in June of 1949. He met the love of his life, Maxine Luemma Wakey while at home in Minneapolis; they married and moved to Neenah, Wisconsin to begin their lives together.
His entire career was in the Paper Industry for Marathon, which was later acquired by American Can, then James River. They began raising their four children in Neenah, Wisconsin and after 11 years at American Can headquarters in Connecticut, the family moved to Fort Smith in 1980. He was then offered the opportunity of a lifetime as Director of Operations for Dixie Cup, Fort Smith Division. Upon his retirement in 1984 he immediately began projects such as building his dream home on Rush Lake, Minnesota, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and finally, designing and managing the AARP Tax Aide Program in Fort Smith for over 22 years. The AARP volunteers recruited for this program became his second family. Each year as tax season approached he came alive with the anticipation of working with the fine men and women who continue to donate their time and energies.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine Donaldson of Fort Smith; one daughter, Diane Fagan of Fort Smith; three sons, Jerry and wife Mary Donaldson of Fort Smith, James and wife Leigh Donaldson of Morgan Hill, CA., and Scott Donaldson of Fort Worth, TX; seven grandchildren, Samantha, Trevor, Nyah, Tristan, Samuel, Lisa, and Matthew; and three great grandchildren, Haleh, Nathan, and MacKenzie.
Graveside service was 10:00 AM Friday, February 4, 2011 in the U.S. National Cemetery with a Memorial Service in Honor of his life, at 11:00 AM, in the First Christian Church of Fort Smith all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Honorary Pallbearers were Bart Hindley, Arliss Daniels, Jesse Lewis, Dick Kutschall, Dave Arnold, and Sid Martin.
Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith, Arkansas
