DONNIE McELMURRAY

PERRY – Donald Ray "Donnie" McElmurray passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025, surrounded by love. He was 83 years old. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. At Donnie's request, all other services will be private. A lifetime resident of Perry, Donnie was born on June 4, 1942, to the late Joe and Maybell Avery McElmurray. He graduated from Perry High School and began working for the State of Georgia's Department of Transportation. Having served in various roles throughout his career, he was a Commercial Paving Permit Specialist. He retired after thirty years of service. He enjoyed watching Gunsmoke all of his life and loved listening to Classic Country, Roberta Flack, and Cajun music. Today, Donnie is happy to be reunited with his buddies who have passed away before him, Eddie Dixon, Jim "Stump" Langston, Richard Jones, and Richard Barry. These men spent much of their lives together, gathering for meals daily, going to the lake often, fishing, telling tall tales, and enjoying each other's company. They depended on one another, and slowly, as they started gathering in heaven, they looked forward to the reunion that would make them complete again. Donnie, and all of these men, will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved them. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Florine Nutt and Geraldine "Geri" Stembridge; his brothers, Ancil McElmurray, Roy McElmurray, and Joe McElmurray; and his brother-in-law, Larry Murphy. Left to cherish the memories they made with Donnie are his daughter, Jenny Ward of Brunswick; his siblings, Dorothy "Dot" M. DesRocher of Lincolnville, Maine, Claude McElmurray of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Martha M. Murphy of Kathleen; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.