Welcome to the memorial page for
Dorval Hendrix "Don" Donahoe
April 30, 1932 ~ October 15, 2017 (age 85) 85 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Michael and Jessica Riddle
April 17, 2018 12:31 PM
Dear Sue and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I just heard at this late date of Dr. Donahoe's passing. He was truly a great man and one of the greatest physician's I ever met. I am originally from Logan County and a graduate of Logan High School. I remember well some of the foreign exchange students there that Dr. Donahoe had sponsored and provided room and board for at his home. My late grandmother Amanda "Maxine" Elswick worked as a nurse many times through the years with Dr. Donahoe including time at the nursing home at Chief Logan State park. She always put the patient's first and didn't tolerate any nonsense even from physician's if she felt the patients weren't being put first. That attitude earned her the title of nurse cratchet. She wasn't one to give many compliments and it was difficult to earn her respect. However I can honestly say that she always talked very highly of Dr. Donahoe and she respected him tremendously both as a physician and as a person. She had nothing but kind words to say about him.
Dr. Donahoe served as my geriatric rotation mentor back in 2003 when I was an intern getting ready to graduate medical school. I can remember many stories he told both about medical situations and life on our many trips to the nursing homes in his big white Lincoln town car (as he would have me drive him). I remember stopping by his house one day with him as he needed to pick something up and seeing his personal library with walls of white bookshelves and mountains of books. His encouragement and philosophical and life's lessons I will cherish always. His Christianity shined through his life and his work. He truly cared for humanity and lived up to the phrase of "giving is living."
Although I could tell many stories, one particular story that stands out was when we were making rounds at one of the nursing homes. A nurse came up to Dr. Donahoe and was concerned about a patient who was terribly constipated and hadn't had a bowel movement in several days. The nurse had tried every medication as well as bedside procedures on Dr. Donahoes instruction protocol list with no relief. This patient was very uncomfortable and it was almost to the point of being in need of surgery due to the risk of bowel rupture or other complications. I'll never forget Dr. Donahoe crossed his arms and placed his right hand on his chin as he thought about it for a second. He then told the nurse to give him erythromycin ethyl succinate. The nurse and I looked at him a bit confused and I asked him why he wanted to give him an antibiotic since this wasn't an infection. He just grinned and said I'm not giving him this medication for it's antibiotic properties. I'm giving it to him for its side effect which is severe diarrhea. Since Dr. Donahoe was a pharmacist prior to being a physician, he knew his medications backwards and forwards. Within the hour the patient's problem was fully resolved. I can tell you they don't make old school doctors like him anymore.
Another testament to Dr. Donahoe's character was that since my soon to be wife and I were getting ready to graduate medical school we didn't have a lot of extra money at the time. Seeing an opportunity to help us out a little financially until we were able to practice, as well as to benefit the patient's in a more timely manor, he hired us and paid us out of his own pocket to perform regularly scheduled histories and physical's on many of the nursing home patient's.
After we graduated medical school Dr. Donahoe graciously wrote us both very flattering professional references for our first jobs as medical providers. We still have those letters he wrote to this day. We also found out when we graduated that there is a plaque with Dr. Donahoe's name on it our our medical school at AB College in Philippi WV in Myers hall upstairs where he was listed as one of the best mentors/instructors. It still hangs there to this day in 2018.
Lastly I'll leave you with this. We didn't see Dr. Donahoe for several years after our graduation. But on October 4th 2008 as fait would have it our paths crossed again. My wife and I were blessed to host a big Christian conference called "Transformed" at the Clay Center in Charleston WV. We were hosting a ministry called Way of the Master with Christian Actor Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort (founder), Todd Friel, and Emeal Zwayne. When I went into the lobby where the resources were being sold during intermission Dr. Donahoe, who to my surprise happened to be in attendance, immediately recognized me and came over to say hello. I can't remember for sure if he said he had already retired at that time from medical practice or he was thinking about it, but I do remember he was excited to tell me that he had been ordained as a lay minister. He said he was doing well and he asked us how we were and was so pleased at how well we were doing. We talked for several minutes and said our goodbyes.
That was the last time I ever seen or spoke to Dr. Donahoe. I just wanted to say what an honor it was to have known him, have been taught and mentored by him, and in some way both medically and spiritually I hope I am able to continue to spread his legacy. I am certain he "fought the good fight, ...finished the race, and ..kept the faith" and is in paradise now with our amazing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To a life well lived that made an amazing and lasting difference. I'm sure he heard those words. "Well done my good and faithful servant...!
I am so sorry for your loss. I just heard at this late date of Dr. Donahoe's passing. He was truly a great man and one of the greatest physician's I ever met. I am originally from Logan County and a graduate of Logan High School. I remember well some of the foreign exchange students there that Dr. Donahoe had sponsored and provided room and board for at his home. My late grandmother Amanda "Maxine" Elswick worked as a nurse many times through the years with Dr. Donahoe including time at the nursing home at Chief Logan State park. She always put the patient's first and didn't tolerate any nonsense even from physician's if she felt the patients weren't being put first. That attitude earned her the title of nurse cratchet. She wasn't one to give many compliments and it was difficult to earn her respect. However I can honestly say that she always talked very highly of Dr. Donahoe and she respected him tremendously both as a physician and as a person. She had nothing but kind words to say about him.
Dr. Donahoe served as my geriatric rotation mentor back in 2003 when I was an intern getting ready to graduate medical school. I can remember many stories he told both about medical situations and life on our many trips to the nursing homes in his big white Lincoln town car (as he would have me drive him). I remember stopping by his house one day with him as he needed to pick something up and seeing his personal library with walls of white bookshelves and mountains of books. His encouragement and philosophical and life's lessons I will cherish always. His Christianity shined through his life and his work. He truly cared for humanity and lived up to the phrase of "giving is living."
Although I could tell many stories, one particular story that stands out was when we were making rounds at one of the nursing homes. A nurse came up to Dr. Donahoe and was concerned about a patient who was terribly constipated and hadn't had a bowel movement in several days. The nurse had tried every medication as well as bedside procedures on Dr. Donahoes instruction protocol list with no relief. This patient was very uncomfortable and it was almost to the point of being in need of surgery due to the risk of bowel rupture or other complications. I'll never forget Dr. Donahoe crossed his arms and placed his right hand on his chin as he thought about it for a second. He then told the nurse to give him erythromycin ethyl succinate. The nurse and I looked at him a bit confused and I asked him why he wanted to give him an antibiotic since this wasn't an infection. He just grinned and said I'm not giving him this medication for it's antibiotic properties. I'm giving it to him for its side effect which is severe diarrhea. Since Dr. Donahoe was a pharmacist prior to being a physician, he knew his medications backwards and forwards. Within the hour the patient's problem was fully resolved. I can tell you they don't make old school doctors like him anymore.
Another testament to Dr. Donahoe's character was that since my soon to be wife and I were getting ready to graduate medical school we didn't have a lot of extra money at the time. Seeing an opportunity to help us out a little financially until we were able to practice, as well as to benefit the patient's in a more timely manor, he hired us and paid us out of his own pocket to perform regularly scheduled histories and physical's on many of the nursing home patient's.
After we graduated medical school Dr. Donahoe graciously wrote us both very flattering professional references for our first jobs as medical providers. We still have those letters he wrote to this day. We also found out when we graduated that there is a plaque with Dr. Donahoe's name on it our our medical school at AB College in Philippi WV in Myers hall upstairs where he was listed as one of the best mentors/instructors. It still hangs there to this day in 2018.
Lastly I'll leave you with this. We didn't see Dr. Donahoe for several years after our graduation. But on October 4th 2008 as fait would have it our paths crossed again. My wife and I were blessed to host a big Christian conference called "Transformed" at the Clay Center in Charleston WV. We were hosting a ministry called Way of the Master with Christian Actor Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort (founder), Todd Friel, and Emeal Zwayne. When I went into the lobby where the resources were being sold during intermission Dr. Donahoe, who to my surprise happened to be in attendance, immediately recognized me and came over to say hello. I can't remember for sure if he said he had already retired at that time from medical practice or he was thinking about it, but I do remember he was excited to tell me that he had been ordained as a lay minister. He said he was doing well and he asked us how we were and was so pleased at how well we were doing. We talked for several minutes and said our goodbyes.
That was the last time I ever seen or spoke to Dr. Donahoe. I just wanted to say what an honor it was to have known him, have been taught and mentored by him, and in some way both medically and spiritually I hope I am able to continue to spread his legacy. I am certain he "fought the good fight, ...finished the race, and ..kept the faith" and is in paradise now with our amazing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To a life well lived that made an amazing and lasting difference. I'm sure he heard those words. "Well done my good and faithful servant...!
Message from K
October 28, 2017 9:18 AM
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in God's sure promise of a resurrection as set forth in the Bible. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29) Those who are raised to life will have the prospect of never again being subject to misery, sickness, or death. (Revelation 21:4) I hope that reflecting on these thoughts will give you some relief during this difficult time.
Message from Sarah Bloebaum Ratliff
October 27, 2017 6:35 PM
So sorry to hear of Dr. Donahoe's passing. Sue, you and he were like second parents to me. You hired me right out of high school to work in your office in Catlettsburg, Ky. I know you and he were very instrumental in getting me into King's Daughters" School of Radiology. I am retired now, but worked for 42 1/2 years. I owe this all to you and Dr. Donahoe who pushed me to broaden my horizons. My prayers are with you and your family at this time. May your memories of him give you peace and comfort.
Message from Tammy Finley Mahon
October 27, 2017 11:44 AM
I was so saddened to hear of Dr Donahoes passing.He was a larger than life ,kind man and Dr. He helped me so many times at LGH with my RA.he had a big heart and he will be missed.My heart goes out to Mrs Donahoe,Schoch and all his family
A candle was lit by Tammy Finley Mahon
on October 27, 2017 11:39 AM
Message from Cheryl J Skinner, WV Patriot Guard
October 25, 2017 4:08 PM
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Dorval H. Donahoe, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten..
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Marine Veteran, Dorval Hendrix Donahoe, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Dorval H. Donahoe, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten..
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Marine Veteran, Dorval Hendrix Donahoe, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
