Ralph Kenneth Donovan Sr

Ralph Kenneth Donovan, Sr, age 84, passed away June 27, 2017. He was born to the late Patrick D. Donovan and Mattie Bishop Donovan on September 21, 1932 in Huntsville, TX. Ralph was a graduate of the Huntsville High School class of 1950. He then joined the United States Navy where he served proudly. Ralph spent many years working in the oilfield industry, construction and waste-water management for the state of Texas. He continued his education with attendance at Texas A&M for Waste-Water Certification. Those who knew him know he loved to tell stories and was always quick to tell a funny one. Ralph was a member of Cook Springs Baptist Church, American Legion Sam Houston Post – 95 Huntsville, and VFW Post 5871-Melvin White Post. Ralph is survived by his sister, Patricia Alexander and husband Jim and sister, Donna Ashworth and husband Joe. He is also survived by his children Donna Crocker, Susan Short and husband Jim, Kathy Chisum and husband Henry, Julia Woods, Ralph Donovan, Jr. and wife Tammy, Brenda James and husband Mike, Patrick Donovan, step-children Eddie Sheffield and wife Debra, Shana Cross and husband Bill, Sheila Gaskins and husband Gene and Becky Martin Spelce and husband Don. Ralph is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many cousins. Ralph is preceded in death by the love of his life and wife, Dolores Dickey Donovan, his parents Patrick and Mattie Donovan, sister Nell Donovan, an infant brother, sister Joyce Belt, daughter Janice Patton, an infant son, and three infant grandchildren. Visitation will be at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, June 29, 2017, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Cook Springs Baptist Church on Friday, June 30, 2017, at 10:00 AM under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Nichols officiating. Interment will follow at McAdams Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons of Ralph and Dolores: JR Crocker, Jason Crocker, Ben Crocker, James Short, David Short, Joshua Chisum, Caleb Chisum, Christopher Chisum, William Woods, Matthew Woods, Sean Donovan, Devin Donovan, Michael James, Ethan Donovan, James Gaskins, Brian Gaskins, and Kenneth Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cook Springs Baptist Church 1936-A SH 75N, Huntsville, Texas 77320. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Ralph Kenneth Donovan Sr

September 21, 1932 - June 27, 2017