Kevin Walcott Donohue

  Kevin Walcott Donohue passed peacefully from this life on Sunday morning December 7, 2024. He was born on September 19, 1937, along with his twin brother, Brian in Ithaca, New York.

  Better known as “Grandpa” and “Daddy,” Kevin wholeheartedly participated in the lives of his family. He faithfully served the Lord and was active in ministry as a man of prayer, a worshiper, and an enthusiastic bible teacher. Kevin was known for his generosity and his remarkable ability to connect with others.

  He was born on September 19, 1937, along with his twin brother, Brian, in Ithaca, New York. In the early 1940’s, Long Island became home, where the family embraced rural life with chickens and a garden. When Kevin and his brother were nine years old, the family moved to Arizona, a journey that provoked their imaginations to thoughts of “cowboys and Indians.” This sense of adventure was deeply rooted in their family history, as their grandparents had once called Tombstone home, and their grandfather had met a tragic fate at the hands of Pancho Villa.

  Kevin’s education began at North Phoenix High School, where he and his brother were very competitive in boxing, basketball, and track. Kevin’s next stop was University of Colorado, where he graduated with a degree in business finance. It was during these formative college years that his roommate introduced him to the Lord, a relationship that would shape the rest of his life. After graduation, Kevin took his first steps into the professional world with Dunn and Bradstreet in Dallas. 

  Kevin met his wife, JoNell Warthan, at a church gathering in Dallas, and they married on April 19, 1962, sharing 62 years of marriage. Kevin continued his education with Bible classes at Abilene Christian University which led to about a year serving as the full-time minister of Mason Church of Christ in Mason, Texas. Kevin and JoNell moved back to the Fort Worth area where he and JoNell raised their three kids: Lance, Shelley, and Leslie, and eventually participated in the lives of their grandkids. Kevin spent his career in the financial field and remained active in ministry serving faithfully at every church he attended. Kevin was a gifted story teller. He had a great wit and could surmise a situation in a couple of words that were hilariously accurate. Many of his summations will long proceed his life as "Kevinisms" repeated by his friends, children, and grandchildren. "They owe me a new pair of Levi's, Bubba." 

  Kevin played basketball at the YMCA for many years and was a sports superfan. He had an impressive knowledge of players and statistics, from high school teams to professional leagues, even including girls' softball. 

  Kevin was a family man making it a priority to attend games, recitals, birthdays, and special events, proudly earning the title of "number one fan." He was a constant source of encouragement, always praying for and cheering on, not only his family, but also their friends and teammates.

  A devoted worshiper, finding joy in church fellowship and praising the Lord, Kevin was also known for his heartfelt prayers; those who received his prayers were truly blessed. There is great comfort in knowing that he is now in heaven, worshiping the Savior he cherished. With a heart full of love for his family, friends, and faith, Kevin will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

  Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Rosemary Wallace Donohue and James Peter Donohue, and a brother, Rory Donohue. 

  He is survived by his wife, JoNell Donohue; his children: Lance Donohue, Shelley McCarty and husband, Jeff, Leslie Strickland and husband, Tim; his grandchildren: Abby Nan and husband, BeiKai, Seth McCarty and wife, Bethany, Caleb McCarty, Claire McCarty, Shepherd Strickland, and Shiloh Strickland; brother, Brian Donohue and wife, Jeanie; and several nieces and nephews.

  Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at the funeral service on Saturday, December 14, at 1:00 p.m., at the Watermark Community Church Fort Worth Campus (8000 Western Hills Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76108). There will be a viewing on Friday evening, at Galbreath Pickard Hilltop Chapel, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (4941 Interstate 20 Frontage Rd, Willow Park, Texas 76087).

  A graveside service will take place on Monday, December 16th, at the Warthan Cemetery, in Annona, Texas, located 12 miles southeast of Clarksville on Hwy 82.

  In lieu of flowers, Kevin would be delighted for you to give to any one of these ministries: Mike Brown Ministries, Voice of the Martyrs, or Prison Fellowship.