Monroe Donathan, II

Mr. Monroe Turner Donathan, II (retired USAF), 85, of Mount Airy, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021, at Rowan Medical Center in Salisbury.  He was also known as M.T., the Big Kahuna, The General, and most notably “Papa.”  Born January 2, 1936, in a small log home on the banks of the Chinquapin Creek in Pilot Mountain, he was the son of the late Charlie and Lillian Coins Donathan.  Mr. Donathan retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of honorable service as a Technical Sergeant, working in communications and intelligence.  During his career in the Air Force, he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK; Showa Air Station about 27 miles southeast of Tokyo, Japan; Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA; Donaldson Air Force base in Greenville, SC; The Royal Air Force Station at Kirknewton, Scotland, with the 6952nd Security Squadron; Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angela, TX; the Florida Keys during the Cuban Missile Crisis; Peshawar, West Pakistan, as a guest of a West Pakistan Army Intelligence Unit; R.A.F. Chicksands, England, about 40 miles north of London; and then finishing his career at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, at command headquarters with the Cryptologic Depot.  Following his military career, he worked in the sales division for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York and as the manager of Take Ten Arcade at Mayberry Mall, where he also served as the president of the Mall Merchants Association.  He finished his career working with his daughter at WorkForce Unlimited as her “jack of all trades” guy to get any job done that was needed.  His love for country and the military led him to serve as a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.  Additional community activities include serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, an honorary member of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, and a Guardian Ad Litem.  He was a very dedicated, longtime member of Flat Rock Baptist Church, where he used his biblical study to teach others and inspire young Christians in the church.  Surviving him are his wife of 65 years, Peggy Beaver Donathan; his daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Michael Venable, Teresa and Jim Lewis, and Monica Donathan Inscore; his grandchildren, Shaunda Venable, Kendra Clabo and her husband, Tyson, R. Michael Brannock, Jr. and his wife, Alison, and Aubrey Isaacs and her husband, Adam; eleven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lillie Cook.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Pauline Donathan, Argie Sams, Thelma Turney, Inez Link, and Louise Easter; and his brothers, Howard Donathan and C.J. Donathan.  He was a larger than life, compassionate man with a commanding presence.  He loved Republican politics, helping people, and he was extremely proud of his family.  Above all else, he loved more than anything his precious “Sweetness” – Peggy – his soulmate and life partner for 65 years of his incredible 85-year journey.  The funeral service will be held Monday, May 24, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Rusty Reed officiating.  Interment will follow at Midkiff Cemetery, with graveside rites conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard.  The family will receive friends Monday from 12:30 until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW and American Legion, 285 Pine Ridge Trail, Pinnacle, NC  27043; or the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Road, Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA  01581.