Gerald Jerry Donaldson

Gerald "Jerry" Lee Donaldson, 76, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of the Lisbon/Mt. Vernon area, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, Monday, April 14, 2014 at Northbrook Manor Care Center, in Cedar Rapids. A Memorial Service for Jerry will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Morgan Funeral & Cremation Choices, Mt. Vernon, IA by Celebrant, Mary Morgan. Jerry was born August 8, 1937 in Hammond, IN. He grew up around the East Chicago area with many aunts, uncles, cousins, step brothers and two brothers. Jerry was an avid sports fan and fitness buff. He played high school basketball, and received approximately 36 scholarship offers to play college basketball, after visiting many colleges, he chose to attend and play basketball for Western Kentucky, then transferred to Louisiana State University. After sustaining a knee injury, he was forced to quit basketball, therefor having to drop out of college. After college, he worked many years in the steel mill before he became a carpenter. He worked construction for many years before opening his carpentry and cabinet making business named Hawkeye Wood Shop in Lisbon, IA. Jerry worked several years in his beloved wood shop. Jerry enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was running, hiking, going for walks and bike rides or just sitting on the porch. Jerry was a very loving person who loved his family, friends and pets. Jerry is survived by his three brothers, Bob (JoAnn) Sapp, Bill (Delores) Sambrooks and a step brother, Eugene Donaldson. Daughters, Amber Strauss of Marion, Tracy (Steve) Moss of Kansas City, MO, Kathy (Vern) Wunnenburg of O'Fallon, MO, Molly (Dean) Mahoney of Olathe, KS, ten grandsons, three granddaughters, and a longtime family friend Pat Glenn. He is preceded in death by his mother Edith Donaldson, a sister Delores Sapp, and a daughter Lori. Two beloved cats, Goldie and Gucci, and his longtime best friend, and running partner, his dog Ralph. Jerry truly enjoyed life to the fullest, whether it was coaching his grandson's basketball team, running marathons, working out at the YMCA, shouting at the TV at his favorite sports team, talking politics, or spending time with his grandchildren, no matter what he did, he did it to the fullest. The family would like to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Hospice Compassus; they truly made a difference in the last year of Jerry's life. Per Jerry's request, his remains will be cremated and scattered at a later date. Memorials in Jerry's honor may be sent to: Amber Strauss, c/o Morgan Funeral Choices, 715 10th Avenue SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. On-line condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com