Doug Donehue Obituary

This news is heartbreaking and I share in your grief. I have always thought so fondly of Mr. Donehue, I just thought the world of him and admired how wonderful a husband he was and how cool of a father. He had such a wonderful relationship with everyone and I stood in awe if his abilities doing this. J Douglas Sr was an amazing man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

On Tuesday I put a packet of news clips in the mail to Mr. Donahue, sharing a note saying how much we missed him over the summer. He had agreed to be a part of a history conversation during Island Heritage Festival, and could not be with us on that day. I told him in my note, I looked forward to seeing him soon. Wednesday, he took flight to glory, and Thursday I boarded a plane for N.Y. . Little did I know he had preceeded me through the clouds. I learned news of his passing when I returned on Sunday. I loved his spirit the minute we met, and am saddened that he is no longer with us. May his zest for life be outmatched only by his peace in glory. God Bless and keep you. Mr. Donahue was a true champion.

Doug was "chief," I was "Buster" as a cubbie in the late Sixties. What a neat place to work -- learned that work ain't always work. From Platt hounds to Chicora Investments to covering drunken food fights at Hibernian Hall -- I thought there was tea in the pitchers. I'll miss him a lot but cherish the memories.

Doug was a great friend and one of a kind. His passing is a great loss to us all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Will be out of town and unable to attend the funeral. God Bless and comfort you, and know that he is in a better place where there is no need for a Star Gospel Mission.

Dear Terry and Family,
My entire family sends love and sympathy to you with the loss of Doug. We have such fond memories of time spent together in Charleston. We remember him as a true friend with a real zest for life. I spoke with Dad today and told him about Doug's passing. He was very saddened to hear about it and remembered fondly their last phone conversation. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you in the days ahead. Cindy (Parker) Yoos

What a terrific guy Doug was! I'll always remember our good times together working with the S. C. Press Association. Doug had a heart of gold, and he touched all of us who knew him.

If there ever was a person to get an Express ticket through the 'Pearly Gates' it was J. Douglas. What a true treasure to the City of Charleston and the Star Gospel Mission. I have cherished his friendship over the years and have laughed uncontrollably at his many stories. I presume the Good Lord needed a laugh or two and it was time to call Doug home. Our sympathies to all of the Donehue family and I will surely miss him as a friend. Vaya Con Dios amigo !!

Dear Ginger and all the Donehues,

Doug was one of a kind, he touched so many lives,and I will miss him terribly. We were onetime colleagues and constant friends, even though separated by time and geography, for more than 40 years, sharing good and bad times and more humor (good and bad)than the law allows. I'm saddened that I'll no longer answer the phone to hear that familiar voice ask, without preface, "Now Mr. Thompson, do you know why......" followed usually by Doug's inanity of the week. It was only a start to a free-wheeling discussion updating our respective states and opinions.

I have a stack of copy paper, doubtless a perk from the Post Courier,that weighs about 12 pounds. It contains a near-lifetime of Donehue letters, jokes, unfinished 3-page short stories (the reader was to supply the ending, a genre he was convinced would catch on some day!),and a rogue's gallery of fictional characters about whom over time we would converse as if they really existed.

I'll share them in due time, but now I'll just re-read them to conjure up my old buddy Doug in his full flavor.

It's said a lot but true of only a few: he was a common man of uncommon character and talent. We had a ripping good time,he's earned his rest, and I'm so glad he was my friend.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Doug Donahue and Family:
Mr. Donahue, you will be missed by my family! Your family has been a part of our lives for many years. Your kind ways and caring attitude have uplifted me, during many trying times. I could not have asked for a better individual to be my Supervisor. You were not only my Supervisor, but also a father figure. There was never an issue that we could not discuss. You always seem to have an answer to my problems! Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.


Love,
Mary & Family

Mrs. Donahue & Family,
My wife, Dorothy and I share in your grief. Doug, as we affectionately called him, was a true friend and confident. We met during the year 1956, when he wrote accounts of our problems at S.C. State College. He brought on the staff of the News & Courier, the first Black reporter, Rudolph Pyatt. He spearheaded the "Newspaper in the Classroom" Program of which I was one of the pioneer teachers. He was a gentle man who always had the interest of the downtrodden at heart. I will personally miss him because he assisted me many times in attaining goals set in my ministry. He opened doors for us to use in feeding the hungry and bringing spiritual healing to those who were without God's safe arms.
Know that our prayers are with you and the family. Any time you desire our visit or assistance, please call upon us.

Yours in the Service of the Lord,

Rev. Charles H. & Dorothy S.Brown
A.M.E. Pastor/Teacher, Retired.

Doug was one of the anchors for the growth of public radio in South Carolina. His kindness, generosity and intelligence will always be remembered by us.

Doug was one of those personalities we meet too infrequently in life. He had a way of bringing out the best in a person, coaching and coaxing them to levels of performance they did not know they could attain. Simply put, he made you a better person. He leaves this world improved by his efforts and deeply saddened by his loss.

It was very sad Sunday at Grace Chuch not to find Doug presiding over our Sunday School class as he has for so very many years. What a blessing he has been to many hundreds of us, and especially to my son, Michael, and me. I'm very glad that Andy has taken up the reins and will continue Doug's work as our Bible study leader.

Doug is one of the most talented and surely one of the most interesting and challenging men I have ever known, and I count it a great privilege to have sat at his feet.

I send love to Ginger and all his family with assurances of my prayers for him and you.