DONALD C. ETHERIDGE
April 11, 1936-April 13, 2017
Donald Craig Etheridge, 81, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2017. As a devoted father and grandfather, he was affectionately known as “Bop” to all those who loved him.
He was born on April 11, 1936, in Eudora, Arkansas, to the late Arliss Etheridge and Mamie Etheridge.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 20 years, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant as an Ammunition Maintenance Supervisor. His military career took him from the Far East to North Carolina.
Donald’s greatest passion in life was spending time with his friends and family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking. He traveled extensively with his wife, Mikiala, and together they visited all 50 states and seven continents.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mikiala Monterno Etheridge. His surviving family includes his daughter, Dawna Etheridge Thompson and husband, Mike of Princeton; his son, Michael Craig Etheridge and wife, Teresa of Apex; his son, Jay Donald Etheridge and wife, Nancy of
Willow Spring; his granddaughter, Stacey Thompson Byrd and husband, Christopher of Cary; his granddaughter, Lisa Thompson Rochette and husband, David of Raleigh; his grandson, Joshua Matthew Thompson of Charlotte; his great-granddaughter, Malia Kathryn Byrd of Cary and a special friend of the family, Maelina Kearney. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his brothers, “Shorty” Etheridge and Tommy Etheridge.
Funeral services will be held at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church in Goldsboro on Monday, April 17, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro on Sunday, April 16, from 6 to 7 p.m.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Community Home and Hospice Care of Wayne County, Dr. Keith Carmack, Dr. Daniel Poole and to the nurses and staff of Eagle’s Pointe Assisted Living for providing compassionate care for our father. In addition, we would like to recognize Gene Smith for his friendship and support over the past year.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Goldsboro or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 16, 2017 12:22 PM