Obituary for Thomas (Tom) Richard Donkin
Thomas (Tom) Richard Donkin, 86, of Ann Arbor, MI, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 20, 2022, while surrounded by his family. Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather (“Papa”) and great-grandfather (“Great Papa”).
Tom was born in Detroit and grew up in Coldwater, MI. He graduated from Howe Military School (Howe, IN), then received BSE and MSE degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. His career took him to Sparton Corp. (Jackson, MI), Hazeltine Corp. (Long Island, NY), Automation Industries (Ann Arbor), and most recently ENMET Corp. (Ann Arbor).
Tom was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor). His interests included short-term mission trips (to Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Alaska), running, writing haiku poetry, WW II and other history, and volunteering at the Yankee Air Museum (Willow Run, MI). Tom loved his Scottish heritage and all things Scottish, including bagpipe music and the Highland Games.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Thomas and Eleanor Workman Donkin; brother, Arthur Donkin; sisters, Patricia Oberman and Joan Legg; and daughter, Catherine Coleman.
Tom is survived by his wife, Ruthann Ward Donkin; son, Thomas C. Donkin and his wife, Sara Donkin; daughter, Sarah Toney; stepdaughter, Valerie (Laywell) Alford and her husband, Roger Alford; stepson, Eric Laywell and his wife, Mary Frances (Francee) Laywell; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and Zoe, his beloved Jack Russell Terrier.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. A funeral service for Tom will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2065 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Tom will be laid to rest Tuesday, November 29 at 12:00 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dexter, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to Family Life Services of Washtenaw County online HERE. or by mail to 840 Maus Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48198; to Hope Clinic online HERE. or by mail to Hope Medical Clinic, Inc., P. O. Box 980311, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-0311; or to the Yankee Air Museum online HERE. or by mail to Yankee Air Force, Inc., 47884 D St., Belleville, MI 48111-1126.
Tom was born in Detroit and grew up in Coldwater, MI. He graduated from Howe Military School (Howe, IN), then received BSE and MSE degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. His career took him to Sparton Corp. (Jackson, MI), Hazeltine Corp. (Long Island, NY), Automation Industries (Ann Arbor), and most recently ENMET Corp. (Ann Arbor).
Tom was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor). His interests included short-term mission trips (to Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Alaska), running, writing haiku poetry, WW II and other history, and volunteering at the Yankee Air Museum (Willow Run, MI). Tom loved his Scottish heritage and all things Scottish, including bagpipe music and the Highland Games.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Thomas and Eleanor Workman Donkin; brother, Arthur Donkin; sisters, Patricia Oberman and Joan Legg; and daughter, Catherine Coleman.
Tom is survived by his wife, Ruthann Ward Donkin; son, Thomas C. Donkin and his wife, Sara Donkin; daughter, Sarah Toney; stepdaughter, Valerie (Laywell) Alford and her husband, Roger Alford; stepson, Eric Laywell and his wife, Mary Frances (Francee) Laywell; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and Zoe, his beloved Jack Russell Terrier.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. A funeral service for Tom will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2065 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Tom will be laid to rest Tuesday, November 29 at 12:00 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dexter, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to Family Life Services of Washtenaw County online HERE. or by mail to 840 Maus Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48198; to Hope Clinic online HERE. or by mail to Hope Medical Clinic, Inc., P. O. Box 980311, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-0311; or to the Yankee Air Museum online HERE. or by mail to Yankee Air Force, Inc., 47884 D St., Belleville, MI 48111-1126.