Donnie Brazeal

IN  LOVING  MEMORY  OF

Donnie Brazeal

August 23, 1953 — January 24, 2018

MEMORIAL  MASS

Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

929 Harvard Ave., Clovis California

We have traveled

This road together;

How many miles

I do not know.

We have traveled

This road together;

Through sunshine,

Rain and snow.

Now we have come

To the end of my journey,

And my traveling days

Are o’er.

I am longing to meet you

On the other side,

Where we will live

To part no more.

OBITUARY

Donnie Orin Brazeal, Jr.

       Donald “Donnie” Orin Brazeal, Jr., age 64,  passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.  Donnie was a long-time resident of Clovis, California. 

       Donnie was born at Great Lakes Naval Station, Chicago, Illinois on August 23, 2018 to Lt. Colonel Donald Orin Brazeal, Sr., Ret. (USMC) and Barbara Jeanne (Ewbank) Brazeal. 

       Donnie moved with his family to several different states during his father’s service and upon his father’s retirement the family relocated to Novato, California when he was eight years old and eventually the family settled in San Jose, California.  

       Donnie graduated from Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California and attended the School of Hard Knocks at Whatsamata U. 

       Donnie worked as a logistics dispatcher at Kach Transportation from May 1999 to June 2011 prior to his retirement.  He was well respected in his field for his loyalty to his customers and his diligent effort to serve them to the best of the ability.  He was well known in his field throughout California and across the United States.  Prior to this time, he worked in the Bay Area as a truck driver and eventually promoted himself to dispatcher because he did not like the illogical routes the company dispatchers gave him. 

       Donnie loved music, spending time with his family, friends and anyone else who cared to join the party.  His beautiful blue eyes and ear-to-ear grin drew many in.  Donnie was beloved by many as he never met a stranger he did not know.  He was a story teller and kept many of his family members and friends laughing at his stories or quips.  Donnie loved and was loved by the family  he made his. His children referred to him as Dad and Papa and loved him deeply. Although not linked by blood, he loved the children, grandchildren and the extended family he gained through his marriage to his wife, Irma Brazeal whom he married on November 22, 2001 on Thanksgiving Day.  Donnie and Irma shared 16 years of marriage and were together for almost 22 years at the time of his passing.  Also, much beloved and the apple of his eye was Daniel Aaron Brazeal, referred to as the “blond son” as Daniel and his brother, Jonathon were only four days apart in age. 

       Donnie was the only son in a family of six.  He loved his five “sissies” and his nieces and nephews.  Donnie loved to say that no one could tell him how the female mind worked as he grew up with five sisters and a mother.  He spoke often of the adventures, and the hijinks they experienced growing up in a military family.  Those memories were so important to him, and he spoke often of them and cherished them dearly.

       Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Colonel Donald Orin Brazeal, Sr., Ret., (USMC), mother, Barbara Jeanne (Ewbank) Brazeal, brothers-in-law, Ezequiel Gonzalez, Tim Winn, Glen Matthews, Dennis Draper, Mia Gonzalez and Mary Gonzalez.

       Donnie is survived by his wife, Irma Brazeal, his four children, son, Daniel Brazeal, daughter, Felicia Lance and son-in law,  Jeremiah, son, Jonathon Phillips and daughter-in-law, Valerie, daughter, Jillian Phillips and fiancé, Javier Velez, and his beloved grandchildren, Jonathon Phillips, Jasmine Phillips, Malachi Phillips, Ethan Phillips, Grayson Phillips and Brynn Phillips.  Also mourning his loss are his constant companions and fur babies, Maggie Brazeal and Prince Borjas.

       Donnie is also survived by his loving sisters, Dyanna Michelle Derr Winn Matthews, Medeia Maquis (Bob Garcia), Peggy Draper, Marsha Steinhauer (Mark) and Debbie Diehl (Mike) and many nephews and nieces who although he did not see often he loved just as dearly. 

       Donnie will also be missed by his mother and father-in-law, Donicio and Amalia Gonzalez, brothers and sisters-in-laws, Dennis Gonzalez (Oly), Louie Gonzalez, Ray Gonzalez (Max), and Joe Gonzalez (LaVonne), Alice Mendoza (Gilbert) and Ophelia Borjas (Nick).  Donnie cherished all his Gonzalez nieces and nephews and all the new great-nieces and nephews joining the family.

       A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help located at 929 Harvard Avenue, Clovis, California on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.  A luncheon to celebrate Donnie’s life will follow at Action Community Church located at 101 Sunnyside Avenue, Suite 106, Clovis, California 93612 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donnie Brazeal, please visit our floral store.