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Kevin Donelson Obituary

Kevin Michael Donelson died August 30, 2011 after a courageous battle against a rare autoimmune disease called Takayasu's Arteritis and its subsequent complications. Kevin was born March 5, 1971 in Walworth County, Wisconsin. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where he enjoyed many activities, loved animals, and excelled at competitive swimming. After some college in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Kevin explored the country for several years eventually settling in Whatcom County, his extended family's new home. Here he honed his skills as a millwright which gave him great satisfaction. He bought a house in 2000 and his door and heart were always open to lonely, injured or abused creatures. Kevin lived his life his way. He will be sorely missed by his mother and stepfather Pam and Dave Went of Bellingham; his sister and brother-in-law Chelsea and Benjamin Holcomb of Portland, Oregon; and his devoted and caring partner in love, Mary "Tink" Bautista. His loss is also deeply felt by his three dogs and assorted other animals for whom he cared. Kevin's family is grateful to Dr. Douglas and his team at St. Joe's cardiovascular center for their valiant efforts on Kevin's behalf. Those wishing to honor Kevin's life and spirit may send a contribution to the Whatcom Humane Society's Building Fund, 3710 Williamson Way, Bellingham, WA 98226. At his request, there will be no services. You may share your thoughts and memories of Kevin in the online memorial guestbook at www.molesfuneralhomes.com Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Bayview Chapel

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Sep. 2, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Kevin Donelson

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Ashe

May 31, 2024

Kevin, "Khaos" was a friend of mine at Antioch College in 1990, where I only attended for a spring semester, stayed in town for the summer, and then transferred to a school in California; in the days before the internet, people weren´t as quick to stay in touch.. we were both complicated weirdos who went out of the box, even though I was shy and he was one of the more flamboyant weirdos in the school, and we´d sometimes take walks in the woods and compare poetry - one of the last things he said at the end of the semester was "We´ll meet again. It´s the rules."
Of course, it was a couple of years before I connected with other people from the school again.. I just figured that in the scheme of things we may or may not reconnect; you know how one thinks about a person one day and then looks them up
..?
anyway, it looks as though he led a beautiful life, and I am glad of that, and I can remember him being a fellow weirdo without an agenda, at a time when I needed that the most as a friend
..

Mary Ann Archambault

September 13, 2011

I never meet Kevin but I know his sister in Portland. The light she so amazingly shines must be flickering with pain and sadness. I'm glad you left your friend a song, it well forever be your song.

Kathy Davis

September 4, 2011

Search Light Moms wants to tell you how sorry we are for the passing of your Kevin. If there is anything that we can do for you please let us know. We as mothers understand the day to day pain as we search for answers.
Love and Blessings,
Search Light Moms
www.slmoms.com

Also on Facebook

Jerry Price

September 2, 2011

I can't listen to "another brick in the wall" without thinking of you, Kev. It sounds like you and Tink had an amazing thing going. My hope is that you are surrounded by light (fireflies?) and love, or at least at a lake, jumping off a pier with a wet sock...

Joe DeLuna

September 2, 2011

To all who read this:
This guy was gold. So thus, let his memory forever be.

He lived hard, he laughed hard, and he loved with all his heart. He rescued what/who needed rescuing. And if you needed a shirt, he would give you the one right off his back.

He set a great example about how to live by what was really important in life and I can't wait til I get to see him again in that great moshpit in the sky.

Sean Kozma

September 2, 2011

I'll miss you, Chaos. We hadn't spoken or interacted in almost two decades, aside from a tiny handful of times online, but the times we did spend together were unforgettable. You were an amazing human being. I've never met anyone as truly free as you were, and I'm grateful for the times we spent together.

benjamin holcomb

September 2, 2011

kevin, i light this virtual candle in your memory. we are driving home to portland, and i want you to know we have dee o'gee and she is going to be ok. chelsea is going to be ok. madre and dave are going to be ok. tink is going to be ok. in fact, tink is amazing. you will be missed terribly by all who love you. but i know you would rather know that everyone who loves you will be ok. and i promise you, they will. we love you.

Brad Handley

September 2, 2011

I remember talking to him late one night in the wee hours of the night, back in 89. I told him that at Age 12 I was given the medical prognosis of a life expectancy of 40. He told me that he did not expect to live that long either. But I always expected him to go out in a blaze of glory. Not quietly.
As a teenager he lived life OUT LOUD and by his own rules. He was a determined youth, determined to not be limited by his folks, his friends or even himself.

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