Donald E. "Donnie" Gish

Donald E. “Donnie” Gish, age 76, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, November 14, 2009 at his home.

Military honors will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 1200 NW Naito Parkway Suite 220, Portland, Oregon 97209 or the American Diabetes Association, Oregon Affiliate, 380 SE Spokane Street Suite 110, Portland, Oregon 97202.

He was born December 25, 1932 in Mexico, Missouri to Chester & Mable Gish. He served in the United States Air Force and fought in the Korean War from 1952 to 1959. He met his true love, Lola Campbell, and they were married on June 13, 1953 in Atwater, California. After his honorable discharge, he went to work for A.P. Green Refractories retiring after 23 years. In 1988 he moved from Missouri to Grants Pass.

He enjoyed flying as a pilot, motorcycles, hunting, fishing, and yard sales.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Lola Gish of Grants Pass; he is survived by two daughters, Donna Mackey and Kathleen Johnson both of Grants Pass; three grandsons, Aaron Camerer of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, Donnie Johnson and Shawn Johnson both of Grants Pass; eight great-grandchildren, Leo, Hailey, Elijah, Lane, Randy Ray, Katrina, Mark and Brandy; two brothers, Charles Gish and Richard Gish; and a sister, Ruthann Phillips all of Mexico, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Jeannine in 1961, and a brother Wilbur Gish.