Donald "Butch" Gracey, Sr.

GRACEY, Mr. Donald "Butch" Sr. - Age 68, passed away Sunday April 10, 2016 at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital. Family Hour 10:00AM Monday April 18, 2016 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 113-123 Wessen St. with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Rev. Coley Gracey, Eulogist. Dr. John D. Tolbert, Senior Pastor. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 North Belford Road. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Monday. Mr. Gracey will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday. In lieu of flowers, please make monetary donations to consider making a donation to Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in care of the Donald Gracey Sr., Scholarship Fund. Mr. Donald Gracey, Sr., known to most who loved him as “Butch,” was born on August 30, 1947 in Pontiac, Michigan, to the union of Coley and Anna Mae Gracey. He was one of 10 siblings. At a young age, Donald joined Trinity Missionary Baptist Church under the tutelage of Reverend Richard H. Dixson, Jr. Donald graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1966. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force in July 1966 and was honorably discharged from the Air Force in June 1970. He re-enlisted twice more and was honorably discharged after each term of service, serving for a total 21 years. During that time he earned the Meritorious Service Medal on January 16, 1969, the Air Force Achievement Medal on July 8, 1983, the Meritorious Service Medal on December 30, 1983; and an Award for outstanding contributions for being a part of the “founding fathers” of Air Force Systems Command from October 1978 to October 1986; as well as many others too numerous to list. While in the military, Donald met the love of his life, Carolyn. They married on September 21, 1973 and from this union they became the proud parents of two sons, Donald and Michael. Donald enjoyed traveling, reading (especially his newspaper), and eating out. He was a true family man and his biggest joy was spending time with his sons to who he passed on his love of all sports (especially NASCAR). After moving back to Pontiac Michigan, Donald earned an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science from Oakland Community College (OCC) in 1989 and he graduated Cum Laude. In June of 1989 he became the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police in Pontiac, while also teaching computer classes at Oakland Community College. Continuing his trend of hard work, Donald continued to model hard work and leadership for eighteen years with the Pontiac Police Department before retiring on December 1, 2007. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carolyn; his two sons Donald, Jr. (Keela) Gracey and Michael (Alana) Gracey; his brother, Larry “Duck” (Belinda) Gracey; mother-in-law, Lossie Martin Whitley; brothers-in-law, Charles R. (Joyce) Martin and Wayne D. (Valorie) Martin; his aunt, Joan (Jimmy) White ; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Coley I and Anna Mae Gracey and his siblings, Coley II “Sam” Gracey; Thomas “Ick” Gracey; Leonard “G-boy” Gracey; Beverly “Sis” Ellsworth; James “Pete” Gracey; Michael “Mike” Gracey; Janet Threlkeld, Roger “Bill” Gracey. The family would like to express special thanks to: Sheila Hawkins, Vicki and Zina Sasnett, Marion Scott, Rebbie Walker, Theresa Hubbart, William and Sarah Ware and Dr. Minnie Phillips.

Donald "Butch" Gracey, Sr.

August 30, 1947 - April 10, 2016