Ronald Dean Donaldson, Sr. 80 of Lake City, FL, passed away peacefully at home and entered the gates of heaven on February 16th, 2024, a day he has been looking

forward to for years. Dean as he was fondly called, was born on June 8, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana along with a twin sister (Jean) to the late Dorothy Hudson Donaldson Thomas and

John William (Bill) Donaldson and was lovingly raised by his stepfather Lewis Levi Thomas who cared for him as his own. He attended public school in White Springs, FL where he played football, and basketball, and was a member of the FFA.  In 1961 he joined the Marines and following bootcamp he remained a reservist and joined the Florida National Guard.  On April 16th,1965 he married Virginia Diane Gilbert and remained married to her for 52 years until her death in 2017.  Together they had two children, and all resided in Lake City, FL.

Dean began working as a fuel truck driver for G.T. (Doc) Melton after boot camp then a sheet metal mechanic at Aero Corporation before going to work as a security officer at Occidental Chemical Co.  He eventually retired in 2008 after 18 years with the State of Florida as an Agriculture Inspection Officer. He was also a volunteer fireman in the 70's. On February 6, 1972 he was ordained as a deacon with some of the finest men in Columbia County which included James Smith, Russell Cheshire, Louie Goble, Milton Laramore, Terry Roberts, and Larry Coates all at Pine Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. D.O. Goss.  Dean faithfully attended Pine Grove for 60 years and served as a deacon, Sunday School director, and in other leadership positions as necessary until 2012 when he moved his church membership to Northside Baptist Church of Lake City to be with his daughter and son-in-law in their ministry. He became the head deacon of Northside Baptist Church where he served for 12 years until his departure to his heavenly home. He enjoyed farming, fishing and FSU football and was an avid Bobby Bowden fan. Mr. Donaldson was proceeded in death by his parents Dorothy Hudson Thomas and Lewis Levi Thomas, his wife of 52 years, Virginia Diane Gilbert Donaldson, his brothers John Paul Donaldson and Roger Theron Thomas, his son Ronald Dean Donaldson, Jr. and one grandson Seth Martin Harkey.

He lovingly leaves behind his daughter Lori Donaldson Harkey (Burl), his grandchildren Holly Donaldson Staley (Kyle), Ashley Donaldson, Trent Donaldson, George Donaldson, and Levi Harkey (Stephanie) along with four great-grandchildren: Caroline, Hudson, Lydia, and Madelyn.  He is also survived by two sisters whom he loved dearly; Sylvia Jean Goble (Louie) and Sarah Ann Kirkpatrick (John) along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Ronald Dean Donaldson, Sr. will be conducted on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Pine Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Thompson officiating.  Interment will follow at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday evening February 22, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 PM at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to North Side Baptist Church building Fund at P.O. Box 3657 Lake City, FL 32056. Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025.  Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.