A strong leader, coach, and mentor.
That’s how friends and co-workers are remembering former Brandon High School Principal Edwin ‘Ed? Keenan Donaldson
Ed died of complications from surgery Feb. 3, in Lakeland Fla.
He was 64.
Born Aug.19, 1942, Ed grew up in Lincoln Park as the oldest of three sons. He attended Olivet College from 1961-1965. During his time at Olivet he met Diane, his wife of 41 years. In 2004, Ed was inducted into the Olivet College ‘Hall of Fame? for his stand-out basketball accomplishments, including NAIA All-America honors. After graduation, Ed and Diane moved to Ortonville where Ed began his career by teaching physical education and coaching basketball at Brandon High School.
During his tenure as coach, Ed helped lead Brandon to many outstanding basketball seasons. Ed and Diane raised three children in Ortonville: a daughter, Tamara Peters; son, David Donaldson; and son Steve Felker, who played basketball for Ed at Brandon.
Ed obtained his master’s degree in education from Michigan State University at East Lansing. Upon completion of his degree he became the assistant principal and athletic director for the Brandon School District. In the early 1980s, Ed was honored as Michigan ‘Athletic Director of the Year? by the Detroit Pistons.
‘Ed and I worked as assistant principals together when Brandon High School was in the Fletcher building,? said Don Patrick, former Brandon Intermediate School principal and co-worker of Donaldson who retired after 37 years in the district last June.
‘Ed was ‘Mr. Tough Guy,? I was ‘Mr. Good Guy.? He could play the police officer role to a tee. Some student would come into the office and I would say, ‘If you don’t want to see Mr. Donaldson, then you should tell me what happened.? Ed ran the school like a very well-oiled piece of machinery, the high school was very disciplined. Still, he loved children and was one of those people that would help them out.?
Ed later was named Brandon High School principal, and maintained that position from 1983-1994. He retired from Brandon High School in 1994, after 28 years of service.
‘I knew Ed very well, I golfed with him for many years on the Ortonville Men’s Golf League,? said Jerry Warner, current Brandon High School assistant principal and drivers? education co-worker with Ed.
‘Many of Ed’s students will remember, ‘The Shoe,? a size 13 tennis shoe, that if you screwed up in gym class, you’d get it.?
In 1995, Ed and Diane retired to Lakeland, Fla. Ed enjoyed his retirement with his two favorite pastimes; playing golf and spending time with his family. Ed was most proud of his marriage, his children and his grandchildren.
He was known by all as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Diane; daughter, Tamara; son, David; son, Steve; son-in-law Craig; daughter-in-law Erin; granddaughters, Alyssa, Alex, Avery, Megan, and Lauren; grandson, Brandon; mother-in-law, Ann Duffy; and brother, Dana.
Ed’s funeral was Feb. 8 at Christ Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Fla.
Donations: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Suite 250, Dallas, Texas, 75244, or Christ Lutheran Church, 2715 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805.