BISHOPS HEAD - Ronald "Jack" Jackson Donoho, formerly of Arbutus, died peacefully on Feb. 21, 2017, at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena.
Jack was born Apr. 10, 1941, in Baltimore, to Reuben and Evelyn Donoho. At the young age of 17, Jack joined the United States Air Force, and after his service he returned to Baltimore and held various jobs including work for the Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department and as an electrician for Belsinger Signs and Claude Neon Signs.
In the mid 1970's Jack moved his family to Bishops Head, a small town his family originated from and he spent the majority of his youth visiting. He bought a boat he named the "Katie Jean" and supported his family as a commercial waterman, tonging for oysters and crabbing.
By 1986 Jack was forced to return to Baltimore, a sacrifice he made to better provide for his family. He took a job as a reading tutor and substitute teacher at Arbutus Elementary School, and later worked for the Arbutus Rec and Parks council. He became extremely well known and loved by an entire generation of children over the course of the next 15 years. He was known simply as "Mr. Jack, or "Uncle Jack" He commited much of his time to managing extracurricular activities at the school including rollerskating, girls basketball and girls softball. He still found the time to take his daughters back to their home on the Eastern Shore frequently, teaching them how to hunt, fish, and crab.
In 2000 Jack retired, and moved back to the slower-paced Bishops Head, a place he always called "down home" where he remained until 2017.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Reuben Donoho; his first wife, Anne Donoho in 1973; and his beloved daughter, Katie Jean Donoho in 2012.
He is survivied by his companion, Carolyn Simmons, of Toddville; his daughters, Darleen Ann Clark, of Pasadena and Jacquelyn Marie DeSonier, of Woodbine; his grandchildren, Jessica Clark, Scott Clark, Hunter Middelthon, and Asher DeSonier; his great-grandchildren, Josh and Bella Blackburn; as well as many other family and friends.
Jack will be remembered by his daughters as a good father that cared for them deeply and taught them to always fight for what they believe in.
A simple graveside service was held at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Glen Burnie, on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at 11 a.m., followed by a wake in his honor at Christ Lutheran Church in Millersville, at 12 p.m. All those that knew and loved him were invited to attend both.
In lieu of flowers we are asking that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of the man that gave so much to so many.