Joe Raymond Donathan
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - March 29, 2020
June 24, 1933 - March 25, 2020
Joe Raymond Donathan
died Wednesday, March 25, in
Englewood, CO at age 86.
Joe was born June 24, 1933,
on the historic Bar I Ranch
in Cedaredge, Colorado (that
was managed by his Granddad
Doyle from 1932-1936), and
grew up in Western Colorado.
He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the Korean War.
On September 12, 1954, he married Marjorie Louise Turner at the
Eckert Presbyterian Church in Eckert, CO. They lived in California
for two years while he attended school at Northrop Aeronautical
Institute. They then returned to Colorado where he graduated from
the University of Colorado with a degree in Aerospace Engineering
Sciences. He had an exciting and fulfilling 37 year aerospace career
at Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin Corporation, retiring in 1993.
Joe greatly enjoyed his family, skiing, golf, and travel.
He is survived by Marjorie, his wife of 65 years; daughters,
Elizabeth Donathan, and Diane Monson; grandchildren, Gina
Eldridge, and Mark Monson; sister, Carol Haase (Don) of Grand
Junction, numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by parents, Vesta (Doyle) and Lee
Chambers; sisters, Shirley and Barbara (Mrs. Murl Thomas of
Grand Junction), and brother, Kenneth “Buck” Donathan (Dorothy)
of Delta, CO.
Because of the Covid-19 concerns there will not be a viewing nor
a live memorial service. A private Graveside Service and Interment
will be at the Eckert Cemetery in Eckert, CO. The fami
