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Established 1948    Sherman - Richard H. "Dick" Donley was born October 7, 1923 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Richard Hogg Donley and Marie Louise (Moore) and passed from this life Friday, November 4, 2011 at his home at the age of 88. Mr. Donley was educated at Jeff Davis high school in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston. He was an outstanding guard and played on the first University of Houston football team. He was a charter member of the Varsity "H" Association, athletic letterman at the University. He also was a catcher on the University baseball team. Prior to his playing career at the University, he played on the PT Boat Base teams that were highly successful against major collegiate competition, playing with among others Mike Holovak and Wally Lemm. He was retired from Exxon with over thirty-eight years of service in a variety of management positions. Richard married the love of his life, Billie Sue Cofer, on June 20, 1947 in Houston. She precedes him in death. Mr. Donley served our grateful nation in the United States Navy during WWII as part of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Sherman and was a Scottish Rite. He served as National President for PT Boats Inc., member of the Purple Hearts Veterans Association, and the "H" Association. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church. Survivors include his loving family - daughter, Suellen Turner and husband Thomas J. of Richardson, Texas; son, Richard Wayne Donley and wife Sheila of Houston; grandchildren Thomas Richard Turner and wife Jamie of Tulsa; David Edward Turner of Dallas; Rebecca Sue Steinberg and husband Richard of Round Rock; Michael Symmons; and Amanda Peterson and husband Rob both of Houston; great-grandchildren Elijah Steinberg, Micah Steinberg, Skylor Peterson, Sky Turner, and Merick Turner; and sister Betty Donley Robertson of Houston. Memorial may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church 2800 Canyon Creek Dr. Sherman, Texas 75090 or PT Boats Inc. P.O. Box 38070 Germantown, Tennessee 38138. A Celebration of Life for Mr. Donley was held at 2:00pm Monday, November 7, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church with Revs. Beth Kellner and John Fleming officiants. Entombment followed at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Thomas and David Turner, Michael Symmons, Sky Turner, Ricky Steinberg, and Steve Blaische.  Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |