Donnie Hugh Stubbs was born January 22, 1939, to Parker and Martha (Workman) Stubbs in Glenville, Georgia. He grew up in East Multnomah County, graduating from Corbett High School, Class of ’57. Donnie married his high school sweetheart Joanne (Barringer), November 9, 1957. His only child, Julie (Stubbs) Nichols joined them in 1959.
Donnie moved his family to Southern California, settling in Duarte for several years before returning to Corbett in 1969. Donnie worked hard as a cement finisher in California and the Northwest, until retiring in 1996. Fine cement dust is suspected in contributing to the lung cancer that took his life December 30, 2008.
When Donnie was diagnosed in the late spring of 2008, his family set out to make a dream of his come true. Physical labor and a huge financial gift from Weston Pontiac-Buick-GMC of Gresham, Oregon, donated or discounted work from Oregon businesses, and gifts given from Corbett Community groups, friends and family made this happen. Donnie was able to ride in the 2008 Corbett Fourth of July parade, with family, in his fully restored 1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport, because of everyone’s generosity.
Donnie was a member of Aims Community Church and had sang in the choir and served as a greeter there. He also volunteered in the Corbett Community.
Donnie was a very selfless and generous man who found pleasure in putting his homegrown vegetables at the end of his driveway “free” to all who needed them. He climbed up each year to fill a giant tree on his property with small lights, delighting everyone that drove by during the Christmas season. He also raised beef and grew and cut firewood to feed his family and keep them warm each winter.
Donnie loved his family and is survived by his wife Joanne, daughter Julie, son-in-law Kevin Nichols, grandchildren, Matt Nichols (wife Rachel), Sarah O’Malley (husband Scott), Lois Nichols (fiancé Kurt) Amber Nichols and Bethany Nichols. His great grandchildren, Brooklyn & Matthew Nichols and Taj & Fender O’Malley (due in March) also blessed Donnie. His sister Joyce (Stubbs) Henke of Kingston, Washington, and brother, Lee Stubbs of Washington, survive him as well.
A celebration of Donnie’s life will be held at Corbett Christian Church, 34309 NE Mershon Road, Corbett, OR 97019, at 2:00 PM, on January 24, 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to Aims Community Church or Kaiser Hospice in memory of Donnie Stubbs.