Gery Charles Donnell (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas-Gery Charles Donnell, 78, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 4, 2022. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Bryce Shelton officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia, Texas.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Kornerstone Funeral Directors.

Gery was born on November 13, 1943 in Canyon, Texas to William “Shorty” Charles and Winona Christine (Carthel) Donnell. Gery was raised both in Tulia and on a ranch in the mountains of New Mexico, where he helped raise cattle and led guided bear and elk hunting trips.  He graduated from Tulia High School in 1962, attended Texas Tech University and graduated from West Texas State University after his service to his country in Vietnam.  On January 28, 1967 he married the love of his life Susan Lee (Hickman) at the First Presbyterian Church in Tulia. Gery and Susan resided in New Mexico and ranched with his parents. He enlisted in the US Navy Reserves and was called to Active Duty. He was on the USS Orleck and was aboard ship engaged in the Gulf of Tonkin incident (The Gulf of Tonkin incident was an international confrontation that led to the United States engaging more directly in the Vietnam War). Gery worked for Texas Cattle Feeders Association in Amarillo and while there he was featured on the national news as a cattle market analyst. Gery and Susan resided in Sudan, Texas where he was a contributor to the Lamb County Stock Show, Lions Club and Sudan FFA. He also managed several feedlots around Texas during his forty year career in agriculture.  In retirement Gery split time between Paradise, TX working on Ranch Projects and McKinney, Tx helping raise his granddaughters Savanna and Emmy. His greatest joy was his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandson.  GDad loved to be with grandkids at any event they would participate in, from Grandparents Day with Natalie and April, to sports with Savanna and Emmy and the annual water balloon “wars” with all the grandkids at Fourth of July in Paradise.

Gery is preceded in death by his parents.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Paul Caraway (deceased), Max Swinburn, Gordon Martin, Joe Martin, Brandon Koke, Tom Hickman and Robert Hickman.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Lee Donnell of McKinney, TX; his daughter, Ambyr Lee Koke and husband Brandon of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; his son, Wade Charles Donnell and wife Karla of Paradise, TX; his sisters, Katrina Donnell Kimble of Austin, TX and Tammy Donnell of Cave Creek AZ; his grandchildren, Savanna Koke of Oxford, MS, Emersyn Koke of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, April Stone and husband JW of Paradise, TX and Natalie Wire of Ft. Worth, TX and his great grandson, James Wire of  Ft. Worth, TX.

Online condolences can be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com