To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 10/26/21 • Approved: 10/28/21 • Last Updated: 7/9/23 • R1398211-G1398211-S3
FIREMAN THIRD CLASS US Navy
PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS US Navy
ELRCTRICIAN FIRST CLASS US Navy
World War II
June 16, 1924 - August 21, 2010
USN, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Fireman 3rd Class, on sub chaser SC 1002, WWII
Ray F. Donahou, 86, of Combs, Ark., passed away on Aug. 21, 2010 in Fayetteville.
Mr. Donahou was born June 16, 1924 at Pettigrew, Ark., to Walter Eddie and Bertha Dellar (Watson) Donahou.
He married his childhood sweetheart Ann Ward on April 20, 1946 shortly after returning from a tour of duty in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a Navy veteran achieving the ranks of Petty Officer 2nd class, Fireman 3rd class, and Electrician 1st class serving aboard the sub chaser SC 1002 and was known to his crew mates as "Sparky." He also served on YT 371 USS Smohalla. Mr. Donahou was a retired farmer, one of the first poultry growers in Northwest Arkansas. He also worked for the Royal Crown Bottling Company, the Arkansas State Highway Department, and as the Deputy Assessor of Madison County. Always active in his community, Mr. Donahou was a school board member for Saint Paul Public Schools for 15 years, many of which he served as president. Helping to facilitate building of the new high school in 1966 was one of his proudest achievements. He was a tireless worker to improve educational opportunities for all children. He and his wife were active members of the Combs Baptist Church in Combs, Ark. He was Sunday school superintendent and unofficial greeter for many years. He was a lifelong leader of the Democrat Party in Madison County.
He is survived by his wife Ann, with whom he happily lived 64 years in the house they built together. He is also survived by four children: Phyllis Vanlandingham of Champaign Ill.; Judy Erickson, and her husband Allan of Atlanta, Ga.; Danny and his wife Janie of Fayetteville, Ark.; Dennis and his wife Dollie of Combs, Ark. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Shannon Hunter and her husband Shaun; Melanie Hill; Michael Vanlandingham and his wife Mistie; Melissa Leistra and her husband Paul; Cara Davis and her husband Chris; Cassie Harris and her husband Andy; Derek Donahou; Denisa Mayes and her husband J.R.; and Darcy Donahou, plus six great-grandchildren and a host of friends.
Mr. Donahou was a lifelong learner who was passionate about reading. In fact, he read most of his children's college textbooks especially the literature ones.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday Aug. 24, 2010 at Combs Baptist Church with burial at Brashears Cemetery in Brashears, Ark., under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville.
Ann
August 23, 1925 - May 17, 2016
Ann Donahou, age 90, of Combs, died Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Fayetteville.
She was born August 23, 1925 in Pettigrew, Arkansas to William and Martha (Swanson) Ward.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a homemaker, a farmer, an avid gardener, and a die-hard Razorback fan. She was known in the community as an excellent cook, famous for her fried chicken and biscuits. She not only fed family and farm workers, but occasionally even former Governor Orval Faubus.
Her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens were admired and often times photographed by people driving by. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay or a good meal. She was a member of Combs Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ray F. Donahou.
She is survived by two daughters: Phyllis Vanlandingham of Champaign, Illinois, and Judy Erickson (and her husband, Allan) of Atlanta, Georgia; two sons, Danny Donahou of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Dennis Donahou (and his wife, Dollie) of Combs, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Shannon Hunter (Shaun), Melanie Hill, Michael Vanlandingham (Mistie), Melissa Leistra (Paul), Cara Davis (Chris), Cassie Harris (Andy), Derek Donahou (Kailey), Denisa Mayes (J.R.), Darcy Donahou; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Combs Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Brashears Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville.
Contributed on 10/26/21 by Barwickbillsully060
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1398211