Leroy M. Donahue

LeRoy M. (Roy) Donahue, 1922-2019

Leroy Milton Donahue was born July 26, 1922 in Fellows, California, the youngest of three children born to Gertrude and Fred Donahue. He grew up in Redondo Beach, California where he was blessed with an adventurous and supportive group of friends, both boys and girls. He graduated with them from Redondo Beach High School and then attended UCLA, where he developed a lifelong passion for all things Bruin, but most especially for John Wooden's championship-winning basketball teams.
His studies at UCLA were interrupted in 1943 when, after attending Officer Training School, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. He was eventually stationed in Japan, now as a first lieutenant in the Army of Occupation, from 1945 through mid-1946, then returned to complete his studies at UCLA. Upon graduation in 1947, he began his career as an accountant for Jergens Soap Company, and during this time one of his co-workers introduced him to her sister, Lois, and it was then that he found the love of his life. Lois and Roy were married May 14, 1949 and began creating a family that thrived on a life of shared adventures, laughter, mutual support, unconditional love, and a lifelong family commitment to the UCLA Bruins.
From Jergens, Roy moved on to work with aerospace pioneer Marquardt, then found his true calling in 1967 with aerospace firm TRW initially as Director of Finance and Controls for the Advanced Technology Division. Eventually Roy was asked to become the Vice President of Administrations (and eventually Operations) for a TRW acquisition, then known as TRW Credit Data (and now known as Experian). During his years at TRW he also returned to UCLA to complete his MBA and was soon teaching as adjunct faculty in UCLA's Anderson School of Business, working with groups of both CEOs and minority students. In addition, Roy partnered with two friends to invest in the Love's Barbecue Restaurant franchise, with a highly successful restaurant in Brea, California.
When Roy retired from TRW, some 500 employees, including many who had flown in from around the country, attended a celebration of his life and work, and the impact he had had on so many lives there.
Roy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lois Jean Donahue, four children: Kathy Reyer (and Ron), Kim Dority, Kelly Donahue (and Chong-Ae) and Karen Collette; 10 adoring grandchildren, Lia Reyer Closson, Aaron Reyer, Matt Dority, Michelle Collette Carlow (and Jeff), Greg Collette (and Jessica), Katelyn Donahue, Jacob Donahue, Jonathon Donahue, and Hope Donahue; and two great-grandchildren, Cannon Closson and Paige Closson. An avid beach-goer, it should be noted that Roy not only taught his own children how to body-surf, he was also continually pressed into service to teach his grandchildren to do so as well, which he did with grace, humor, and patience. (While a senior vice president at TRW, his propensity for riding a motorcycle down to the beach on his lunch hour to catch some quick waves was well known….)
He was preceded in death by his brother Jim and sister Juanita in addition to many cherished lifelong friends. He leaves a lasting legacy to us all of the values of laughter, integrity, a passion for learning, and unconditional love.