James Clayburn Donovan's Obituary
Brigadier General James Clayburn Donovan, U.S. Army Ret., 87, passed away quietly on Friday, April 29, 2016 surrounded by his family. Born November 22, 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to John Clayburn and Bertha May Marlin Donovan, Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Proceeded in death by his first wife Ruth Elinor Donovan and daughter Martha Lynn Donovan. He is survived by wife Sharon Johnson Donovan, son John Clayburn Donovan, daughter Anne Donovan, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Jim was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Following graduation from Classen High School in Oklahoma City, OK, he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated in the class of 1950. Three months later, this young second lieutenant found himself in charge of a combat engineer platoon in the Korean War. Upon his return home, he married Ruth Elinor Andrews and began raising a family of three children. Jim served in multiple assignments during his 30 year career, including a tour in Viet Nam. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General and his last command was as the Division Engineer for the Southwest Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal upon his retirement in 1980. He moved to the civilian sector as the Director of Facilities at the E-Systems corporate office in Dallas, TX until 1994. An avid outdoorsman, Jim shared his love for hunting and fishing with his beloved wife, Sharon. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?