John Donaldson

1929 - 2025

John E. Donaldson, lifetime school administrator and advocate for teachers and public education, died peacefully at home on October 9, 2025, at age 96 in Georgetown, Texas. He was preceded in death by parents Marshall and Esther Donaldson, brothers Curtis, J.W.,and Bill Donaldson, and sister Dale Baugh. John is survived by loving wife and caretaker Margaret Donaldson, three children from previous marriage to Joellen Stern: daughters Renee Lago and Terri Moore, and son Michael (Monica), and stepdaughter Janet Henry (Beau). Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Kristen Ortiz (Mike), Tara Gould (Derek), Jenn, Jeremy, and Jessica Donaldson, Braden, Brynn, and Brooke Henry, and six great-grandchildren.
John is also survived by six brothers and sisters: Joe Pat Donaldson, Syble Ferguson (Russ), Doris Prater (Byron), Jerry "Nub" Donaldson (Carolyn), Linda Hluchan (Barry), Dwight Donaldson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born September 4, 1929 in Pidcoke, Texas, John grew up in Flat, Texas in the midst of the Great Depression. The hard times made a lasting impression on John's future life. He learned early on the value of hard work and a good education. John gained and never lost compassion for the poor and underprivileged. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on his 17th birthday. With an honorable discharge in hand and WWII GI benefits, he attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College earning BBA and MEd degrees and later pursued a PhD at the University of Texas.
John made a career in public education having served 15 years as a teacher and administrator in the public schools of San Antonio, Blanco, West Columbia, Austin, and Eanes. At age 29, he was elected Superintendent of Blanco ISD. Reportedly, he was the youngest superintendent in the state at that time. He later served 15 years as an administrator, Director of Governmental Relations, and Chief Lobbyist for the Texas State Teachers Association. After retirement, he served six years as an administrator in the General Land Office of Gary Mauro. He continued to hold until his passing that race, ethnicity, or circumstance of birth should not determine the quality of education to which every child is entitled.
After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Margaret, his wife of 48 years, and playing golf until health problems became limiting. He believed in God and the Golden Rule. He found comfort and meaning in the quotation from Galileo, "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated therapists, nurses, physicians, and caregivers at Baylor Scott & White, PAM Rehab Hospital, AccentCare Home Health, Visiting Angels, and Scott & White Hospice for their compassionate care and support.