Donovan Wadlow

Donovan James Wadlow Donovan James Wadlow, 92, passed away peacefully March 7, 2014, in Wickenburg, Arizona. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wickenburg. Pastor Ken Piepenbrink will officiate. Donovan (Don) was born in the town of Grafton, Jersey County, Illinois on November 9, 1921, the son of Walter Leslie Wadlow and Hildra Bernice (Williams) Wadlow. Don grew up and attended school in various locations throughout the southeastern United States, and graduated from high school in Alton, Illinois. As a teenager he joined the United States Merchant Marines and sailed as a merchant seaman for more than 40 years, including service during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Don met Norma Jean Danielson, the love of his life, while on a duck hunting trip to North Dakota. They were married on August 3, 1957, in Norma's hometown of Tuttle, North Dakota, and then moved to Washington to be near Don's home port of Seattle. Their son Walter arrived a little over a year later, on October 22, 1958, after which Don and Norma bought a home near Puyallup, Washington. Don continued his career at sea until he retired in the late 1980s. Don and Norma moved to Wickenburg in 1993 and enjoyed their desert home together until Norma passed away in February 2003. After her death, Don remained active in his church and continued to host family and friends for visits at his Wickenburg home. A gracious man who was also fiercely independent, Don will be remembered fondly as a good and generous husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and lover of dogs and other animals. He met many neighbors and friends when out for his regular morning walks with his dogs. Don was also an accomplished baker, and, as a member of the Redeemer Lutheran congregation, was appreciated for his many home-baked cookies. Don is survived by his son Walter; daughter-in-law Alison Russell; former daughter-in-law Jane Wadlow; sister, Janet Wadlow; grandsons Philip and Austin Wadlow; granddaughter Isobel Press; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his three brothers, Reginald, Gerald and Elton Wadlow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; by phone at (800) 822-6344, or online.