John Donaho
John Milton Donaho, 86, of Winnie, died December 6, 2024. He was born on September 2, 1938, in Liberty, to Cecil and Alma Donaho.
Survivors include his daughter, Stacey Smith of Orange; son, Sean Donaho and his wife, Robyn, of China Spring; granddaughter, Sydney Smith of Orange; grandsons, Cameron Smith, of San Marcos, Blake and Ross Donaho, of China Spring; sister-in-law, Patti Fitzgerald and husband, Steve of Winnie; brother-in-law, John Gaulding and wife, Vickey of Winnie; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Jean Donaho; brother, Cecil Donaho; and parents.
A gathering of Mr. Donaho’s family and friends will begin at 2:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2024, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to to the Hamshire-Fannett Education Foundation, Attn: John Donaho Scholarship, P.O. Box 44, Hamshire, Texas 77622 or Christ Covenant Church, 6390 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- December 20, 2024
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Memorial Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- December 20, 2024
- 4:00 pm
I am saddened to hear the news about my uncle John’s passing. Reading about all the lives that he touched as a coach and a teacher and then seeing all the photos makes me wish our families had lived closer and I could have known him better ❤️ Stacey and Sean I am sorry for the loss of your mom and your dad, grandma and grandpa to your kids. It is sad, however I am comforted knowing that they are together again. May the sacred heart of Jesus bless them both.
🙏🕊️❤️🙏🕊️❤️🙏🕊️❤️🙏🕊️❤️🙏🕊️❤️🙏
So sorry for the loss of your dad. He was always a very kind man. Freddy always spoke highly of him from being at Forest Park to being at Hamshire-Fannett. Many memories!
coach donaho was at forest park hs when i started teaching there in 1963. he was teaching biology and i was teaching health and drivers ed. He was super friendly to me even though he told me I was his favorite “Limey”due to my British birth!!!!! always smiling especially when he told me to go to the teachers parking lot and see his brand new car It was a bright red Mustang ( think) One of the most genuine men I have had the pleasure to meet. A wonderful and full life
Ian Stewart Forest Park and West Brook H.S
Coach Donaho was one of THE most influential and caring teachers/coaches at Forest Park High School. He always made Biology class a fun and interesting subject. Never boring. I’ve missed seeing him in years past, but thought of him often. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace.
John and Bonnie were great friends and fellow members at Westgate Church of Christ. Their goodness will live on and we will miss them.
I will never forget coach Danaho. He was an inspiration to all of us defensive linemen. He was hard on us, but treated us all as equals. Outside of practice he was always kind and understanding. I last saw him at a Lamar football game 5 or 6 years ago. He didn’t remember my first name, but when he saw Paul Miller and me he shouted “hey Richert and Miller.” He will be sorely missed by a number of former FP athletes.
Sending my deepest condolences to John’s family. John and I worked together on many projects while we were principals at Hamshire-Fannett . Everyone that knew John enjoyed his stories.. The students adored Mr. Donaho. If I had a snake on the playground, John would come take care of it. He was such a nice guy. He will be missed by many.
Our friendship goes way back to our days as South Park Greenies. John’s family became a part of our lives when they moved to South Park and his Dad became a coach at SPHS. His Mom was the beautiful lady who sold tickets at the Lamar Theater, Such great memories of our “growing up years”. We kept in touch over the years, and eventually our families both ended up in the Hamshire-Fannett Community. John was such a good friend and a loyal Greenie, joining with classmates at reunions for about 65 years. He will be missed by so many friends.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I go way back to the mid 50’s, with John. John was part of my older brother, Jack, junior league baseball. Before any of the organized Little League, Pony League, etc. Any one could form a team, the city would provide you with 15 tee shirts, 15 caps, all the catcher’s equipment and a couple of balls and bats. John was one of the best player’s on the team, if not the best. We would see each other later at Lamar. also even later at various golf courses, primarily Bayou Din. I was 2 or 3 years younger, but John always remembered me and had nothing but fond memories, of our youth. May GOD welcome John into His loving heart and arms, granting him salvation and an eternal life as a member of the Family of God, in Heaven,
Man, oh man, Coach…been a heckuva run!
I am so sorry to read of Coach Donaho’s death. He was very nice to be around.. He always joked with me at Forest Park high school. May he rest in peace.
Coach John was a great coach and teacher @Forest Park He also coached and taught us good leadership He will always be remembered as a Great Trojan
Coach John was a great coach and teacher at Forest Park He put up a lot of stuff we did and told us that we needed to be more careful about what we do He will be missed by all
Mr. and Mrs. Donaho have been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. They were a blessing and gave me and Rhonda a pounding out on the farm when we were married. Never will forget their Christian influence on my life..
Thank you Coach for being In my life. I will never forget ..
One of the original Forest Park teachers.
People like him made that school exceptional.
Coach Donaho was an excellent teacher who made football and basketball fun. He and the entire coaching staff at Amelia Jr High and Forest Park High Schools were good role models for us athletes.
Words cannot adequately express how much of an inspiration and example Coach Donaho has been throughout my life, beginning as my football coach at FPHS and continuing in adulthood when I always seemed to see Coach Donaho at critical times; just a brief conversation with Coach seemed to provide the guidance necessary at the time. Thank you for sharing your father/ grandfather with myself and so very many young men throughout the years. Prayers to Coach and Mrs. Donaho’s family. Danny Mabry
John and his dad Cecil were inspirational people in my life growing up. My deepest
Prayers for the family in their loss. John was a special man
I was so surprised to hear of your passing. I didn’t hear about Bonnie until after she was gone. I heard about you on Saturday. We will miss you and Bonnie greatly but you will be together again.
Love, Bernice and Russell