Gary Elden Donaldson

To view the funeral service for Mr. Gary Elden Donaldson please Click on this LINK for LIVE STREAM https://youtu.be/qK4EXBMAohg

Gary E. Donaldson, 73 passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Countryside Meadows, Avon on March 5, 2021. Gary was a dedicated veteran who served in the United States Army for three years.

Gary was born on July 6, 1947 in Indianapolis to his late parents Cletis & Frances (Hyde) Donaldson. Gary was drafted into the United States Army in 1967, he completed basic training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. After that, he was sent to Ft. Monmouth, NJ to train in Signal Corps. Once he completed training, he was stationed in Bangkok, Thailand for two years. While in Thailand, he successfully made rank of Spc 5 prior to being discharged in 1970. He immediately went to work for Penn Central Railroad until he got hired on to the Speedway Police Department as a dispatcher prior to graduating from the Police Academy in 1971. Gary eventually worked his way up to Lieutenant with the Speedway Police Department and retired from there after 24 years of service. Gary was an avid shooter and won consecutive awards from 1981 – 1989 in the First Bank & Trust of Speedway Shooting Invitational. After retiring from the Speedway Police Department, he went on to the Marion County Sheriff’s Department working at the City County Building and Juvenile Detention Center for 21 years and officially hanging up his badge in 2016. Gary was a devoted member of Chapel Rock Christian Church and loyal to his Christian faith always carrying his Bible.

When he wasn’t working, Gary had a passion for anything racing related and specifically the Indy 500. He enjoyed the Indy 500 so much he had been attending the races since 1971 which later became a special tradition with him and his family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Cletis & Frances (Hyde) Donaldson, and brother, Ronald D. Donaldson. He is survived by his loving wife Linda of 54 years whom he married on July 22, 1966, son Patrick Donaldson (Niki), daughter Pamela Chesher (Mike), sister: Gloria Summerlot. Gary is survived by his six grandchildren: Shelby Andersen, Taylor Andersen, Logan Donaldson, Reese Chesher, Carter Chesher and Bailey Chesher . Also Aunts, Cousins, Sister-in-laws, Nieces, Nephews and his dogs and cat.

The family requests that flowers be sent to Flanner  Buchanan-Speedway, 2950 N High School Road or Memorial Contributions may be sent to your favorite pet rescue in Gary’s honor. Friends and family may gather for visitation services on Monday, March 8th from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. There will be a funeral service held at 11:00 am, visitation one hour prior, on Tuesday, March 9th at Flanner  Buchanan-Speedway and gravesides services to immediately follow at West Ridge Park Cemetery, 9295 West 21st Street, Indianapolis.