Donaldson, Rupert Bruce

Rupert Bruce Donaldson, age 82 of Seven Lakes, NC departed on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at his home. Bruce was born in the middle bedroom on the Pinehurst Peach Company Orchard on January 23, 1929. His parents were Robert Bruce Donaldson and Jean Ruth Galloway Donaldson. His father came to West End in 1913 from Charlotte and his mother was school teacher at the Jackson Springs School moving from Mt. Gilead. In 1920, Robert established the Pinehurst Peach Company with partners Dr. Lowry and Mode McDonald. The orchard consisted of 1140 acres of peach and apples. Bruce always remembered his happy days on the orchard, hauling peaches to New York and driving the local school bus. Bruce and a buddy would drive all night to have the peaches at the market when they opened in the early morning. He often reminisced about transporting German Prisoners of War from Camp McCall to the orchard. He was active in 4-H and attended Camp Millstone. He was member of the West End High School ball team which won the N.C. Easter State Championship in 1947. He graduated in 1947. His home church was West End Presbyterian Church and after being away for 55 years, is again a member there. Bruce is a veteran serving in the Army/Air Force 1948-1953. Tours of duty took him to Japan and various posts in the U.S. His career proceeded as a Technical Representative for IIT/Gilffilan with positions in California, Iceland, France, England, and Germany. The position was transferred to the U.S. Army and Air Traffic Control where he continued his career and retired in 1989. Being a very ambitious fellow, he then pursued real estate development in the Tucson and Sierra Vista, Az. area. He was active in Seven Lakes Lions Club, Seven Lakes Kiwanis Club, Jackson Springs Community Club and Moore County Republican Men‘s Club. Bruce loved airplanes, good wine and beautiful women. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Edward Todd Donaldson and wife Maria Miller Donaldson of Dallas, TX; daughter, Carol Jean Donaldson of Norfolk, VA; the love of his life: Sir Andrew (Andy) his Westie; special niece, Jeannie Lorraine Donaldson, nephews: Donald Donaldson of Candor, Jackie Donaldson of Carolina Beach; David Lawhon of Wilmington, NC, Charles Lawhon of Pinehurst and Robert Lawhon of Carthage. Numerous great-nieces and great-nephews along with cousins survive him. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his beloved brother Cyrus Monroe Donaldson, Sister Roberta Grace Lawhon, nephew Walter Rupert Donaldson. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Seven Lakes. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at West End Presbyterian Church with Rev. Larry Lyon officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the West End Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the West End Presbyterian Church or FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374. Leave a Note of Remembrance.