Jerome 'Jerry' Donahe
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Jerome Francis Donahe
Aug. 14, 1937 - April 17, 2021
Jerome Francis Donahe (Jerry or J.F.), of Silverton, 83, passed in early morning hours of April 17, 2021, in Salem, of non-COVID-related causes.
He was born Aug. 14, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., to Bernard Anthony and Thelma Sophia (Follesvold) Donahe. An older sister, Joanne, greeted him and he was followed by a younger sister, Selene.
At the age of 11, he moved with his family to Sweet Home, where he graduated from high school. He served as senior class president, was active in the music program, and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.
After attending Pacific Lutheran University (where he played football and baseball), he worked for a short time at Boeing (living near Seattle) and then enjoyed a very prosperous career in financial services with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and Thrivent Lutheran Brotherhood (living in West Linn and Lake Oswego).
He married Sharon Julian in 1961 and together raised two sons, Terence Anthony, and Lawrence Patrick. He supported his sons' athletic endeavors by coaching their various sport teams and cheering for them. He enjoyed fishing and camping with them.
After their divorce, Jerry moved back to Sweet Home. He was briefly married to Phyllis Barnes.
In 2006, he married Janet (Mauer) Casad and they enjoyed travel in their RV to the Oregon Coast, numerous national parks and monuments, and his favorite locations to "dry camp" in the mountains.
He particularly enjoyed visiting Clear Lake and the delicious hamburgers at the café.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Donahe of Silverton; sons Terry Donahe of Lake Oswego and Larry Donahe (Michelle) of Hutchinson, Minn.; grandchildren Trey, Cole, and Audrey Donahe of Hutchinson; sister Selene Estep of McMinnville; sister Joanne Van Dyck of Beaverton; stepchildren Emily (Thomas) Sims of San Marcos, Texas, and Timothy (Jennifer) Casad of Jefferson; step-grandchildren Benjamin and Breyanna Casad of Jefferson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of Sweet Bye N Bye in Salem and Willamette Valley Hospice for their support and care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Willamette Valley Hospice.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, Sept. 11, at 1:30 p.m. at Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St., Silverton.
