Cpl. Dennis Girard Donaldson Sr.

On Saturday, December 9th, 2023, Dennis G. Donaldson Sr. loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend to every person he ever met passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65 in Chandler, Arizona. Dennis was born on February 22, 1958 to parents Lucinda Madeline Reed and Willard Wadsworth Sr. He was raised by his mother and Stepfather Percy Donaldson growing up in Denver, Colorado along with his three siblings. Dennis graduated from Rock Island High School in 1976 with an avid interest in track and field, gymnastics, and martial arts. He set many track and field records was awarded countless medals during his time there whilst earning a black belt in Chinese Kenpo Martial Arts. Dennis served in the United States Army from June 1976 until June 1981; during his time, he held the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11H Tow Missile Gunner serving on a tour in Korea and the U.S. After being honorably discharged from active duty, Dennis focused on higher education; he acquired his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Virginia State University, followed by an Master’s Degree in Administration from Michigan University. He made sure his children knew the importance of education by saying, “They can take everything else away from you but they cannot take your mind.” Dennis would go on to receive many honors and awards during his career but the most rewarding treasure to him was friendship. Though his time with those who knew him was too short, his lifetime of travels led him to have a rich and rewarding life with the many friendships he made and maintained around the world. Dennis was unrelenting in ensuring that every person in his life knew how much he loved them. He also had a nugget of wisdom to depart to them. Dennis would set out to achieve the impossible, after his retirement from the White Sands Missile Range. He could be found barbequing, practicing his Kenpo, watching Sci-Fi movies, hiking through Alamogordo Mountain trails, traveling, spontaneously visiting a beloved family member, or planning for his retirement home in Ghana. He loved playing multiple rounds of chess while schooling you on lessons of life. Dennis was a huge fan of the Denver Bronco whether it be John Elway or Russell Wilson. On June 30th, 2021, Dennis married Bless Kersia Klougan in Accra, Ghana. This is where his heart remained for the duration of his life. Though proud of his military service nothing compared to his love and devotion to family, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren. There was nothing that thrilled Dennis more than sharing in and celebrating their many accomplishments. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Lucinda and Willard Sr. Donaldson. He is survived by his loving wife Bless Kersia Donaldson; his daughters Cheriece Peterson and Jessica Donaldson; his son Dennis Donaldson Jr. from his previous marriage; his brother Mark Donaldson; his sisters Sonia Donaldson and Valerie Borne; his Aunt Rosianna Webb, nine grandchildren: Diante Peterson, Elijah Peterson, Tatyana Peterson, Josiah Peterson, Iyana Peterson, Eliya Donaldson, Noah Donaldson, August Donaldson and Soliyana Yonas Segid, and a host of other family members, and treasured friends. A private viewing for the family will be held at Harris Funeral Directors, 9722 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, Colorado, on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 4:00 PM. This will be followed by a public visitation at the same location at 5:00 PM. The funeral service will take place at Colorado Christian Fellowship, 14401 East Exposition Avenue, Aurora, Colorado, on Friday, December 22, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Interment will occur on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 9:00 AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, Denver, Colorado. We invite you to share your memories and upload photos of Dennis to his memorial page. These moments are precious, and we encourage everyone to celebrate his life by sharing their experiences with him. His light continues to shine bright within us all.

Cpl. Dennis Girard Donaldson Sr.

February 22, 1958 - December 9, 2023