Donald Gill — In Loving Memory | Broussard's Mortuary

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Jennifer Houston Las Vegas, NV September 9, 2008

DonnaKay, Tina, Mike and Ty

All four of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in walking down memory lane and remembering the good times. I have many fond memories with us as kids. I truly regret I could not come down to support you all and say good-bye.

When we were kids, I remember Uncle Donnie loved to play scrabble. He also was known as and answered to "Donnie". As we grew up and changed, so did he. He moved on to "Don" and some of us to this day find it hard to make the change from "Donnie" to "Don".

Regardless, he had a big heart and a father's prideful heart. Through the years, I had a chance to visit with Uncle Donnie a few times. He walked down memory lane with my daughter, and shared with her, days gone by, filled with memories of us all as kids. He took pride in telling me about each of you and who you had each grown to be and how immensely proud he was.

He shared a special bond with my mom. A bond each of you knows, as you are connected through the same bond brothers and sisters share. He stood by and stood up for her many times. The years leading up to Nanny's passing were difficult at best and Uncle Donnie was always there for my mom. Thank God for Uncle Donnie.

He will truly be missed. I pray you four stay close to each other and keep the lines of communication open. When all is said and done, all you have is each other.

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Bobby & Judy Aycock Bridge City, TX September 8, 2008

Sorry we could not be with you all. Your dad will always be in your hearts and watching over you, you will always have his support when you call on him.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Love to all of you,
Aunt Judy & Uncle Bobby

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Melissa & Judd Osborne Lewisburg, KY September 8, 2008

Donna Kay, Mike, Ty, and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and not being able to come down during this time of need.
I never knew your dad but know he is in a better place.
Please know each and everyone of ya'll are in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless and we love you all,
Melissa, Judd, and Ava Osborne

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Melinda (Mimi) Buentello (Mallet) Austin, TX September 7, 2008

As I read the entries and the obituarie I can easily recall the sounds of each of your voices, and especially Don's voice.

We are all in different places and in various stages of our lives, which is as it must be. Even so, the heart remembers things as if time has barely moved forward. The reality is that it;s been decades since we last parted. Still, I beleive that all Don's children who are now adults with families of thier own know that they were always loved and cherished by their father.

Ron I too will remember the times he was there for me, and I will forever be grateful for what we shared.

My sons were also once very close to and loved by Don. This sad news only came to me today, but I will go now to share with them the news that will tell of this great loss that affects us all...

Peace be with you and yours,
Lovingly yours,
MM

For Donald

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

~Alfred Tennyson - 1850

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Lori, Heather, Jessica, & Jordan Austin, TX September 6, 2008

Hi Mike, Janie & girls. We are thinking about you and praying for you during this difficult time.

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sissy warren, TX September 5, 2008

DonDon you will always hold a special place in my heart you were like a second dad to me and so many of my family it was a blessing to know you and to know I was loved by such a great man....love ya pops....Sissy

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Judy, Jordan and Will Rash Nederland, TX September 5, 2008

Donna, Joey, Kandace and family -
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you and the entire family in your time of loss. May God's healing grace comfort you.

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Cyndi Evans Hebert Groves, TX September 3, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It has been years since I have seen any of the family. I was a neighbor and grew up on Brazos Avenue in Port Arthur. Donnie, what we called him back then, was the ring bearer and I was the flower girl in his sister Sue's wedding.

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melissa andrews nederland, TX September 2, 2008

to tyson and family
sorry to hear about u daddy ..i lost my mom back in oct 21 -07 ..so i know have u feel ..
melissa and kids

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Michael A Gill austin, TX September 2, 2008

Love You Dad , have a lot of good memories of our time together. Gone in flesh but not in spirit, will see You in heaven when the lord call's Me home. Loving memory Your Son , Michael

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Ron Allmand San Antonio, TX September 2, 2008

I have so many great memories of "Uncle Donnie" - memories of growing up with his children, my cousins. Playing with Donna Kay - Tina - Mike - Ty.

Then the memories of my high school years and the congrats he shared with his sister - my mom - when I graduated.

Later, in life I was serving in the US Navy, all over the country where communication with family was scarce, my mother endured very hard times with the passing of her husband and having to look for a place to live and having no one to turn to. Uncle Donnie was there to lend a hand and talk with her. As it turned out they were both going through hard times and they were there for each other the way only family can be.

Years later, Uncle Donnie and I had deep conversations about life and our military careers, things we had seen, things we had done. I toured his place in Warren and he enjoyed telling me about his plans for the yard and the house but overall there was a great peace and happiness in him that was very evident. It made me happy to see him this way. We even talked of taking a motorcycle ride together. I regret not ever riding out and taking him on a short ride.

The day before he passed on - I was able to visit with him for about 4 hours. I was grateful for the time, and before I left I thanked him for looking after my mom and being there for her when she needed it. There is no greater feeling of helplessness than when your family needs help and you aren't able to be there to provide what they need.

I will always miss "Uncle Donnie"
- as an uncle he had a fierce loyalty and would do anything to protect his sisters while they were growing up. Yep, that means the first one in the fight!
- as a "brother in arms" we shared a loyalty to protect those in combat with us that we knew as "family" both of us having lost friends in combat there was and is a feeling of loss and regret mixed with pride.
- and as a family man, "Uncle Donnie" shared things about his children the way a proud father often does. He spoke with me at great length one day about each of his children, and there was a gleam in his eye when he spoke of each of them. I don't know what the years have done to relationships and communication opportunities but I do know that he never let go, he never gave in and refused to pass on, until he was able to "see" his children. That's just the way a father would have it.

Ron "Ronnie" Allmand
ITC/ESWS/SEAL - Retired USN

Donald “Don” Gill

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