Sgt. Codey William Donahue US ARMY ~82 Airborne

"He was the youngest of my 4 children- he has 2 older brothers and a twin sister who never let him forget that she was exactly 2 minutes older than he was.  Mischievous at best, my son was always into trouble. “Rebel” should have been his middle name as he lived his life against the grain. He had a wild soul and lived for the thrill of being in wide open spaces- his country boy, small town heart found peace in nature; he was always on an adventure in the woods, on the river, or at home on the ranch with his longhorns and horses. Bless your heart if you were offended easily- chances are, he’d hurt your feelings within a few minutes of being around him because he sugar coated nothing. So, one thing people learned quickly was not ask for his opinion if you didn’t want hard, open and honest truth.  Codey always said growing up that one day he'd join the military.

Senior year of high school he came home with paperwork and told me he was going with or without my approval. What could I say or do? I didn’t want my boy going but I knew he had his heart ready to pour everything he had into this new embarkment. So, October 11,2011, I drove him to the enlistment station, hugged him goodbye and drove off knowing he was getting ready to fulfill his childhood dream. I was so humbled, so proud. 

Several years later, once he came home, Codey decided to put his handy man trade skills to work as a civilian and started up his own business.  He was a man full of grit and a jack of all the trades. From home renovations, to HVAC, tile work, mold restoration- his work was endless. In the midst of finding himself getting settled into his life outside of the military, he welcomed his first son, Buddy Josiah. We all saw a whole new side of Codey we’d never seen before- his father role. Codey and Buddy were two peas in a pod. You’d never see one without the other trailing behind. They dressed alike. They spoke alike. Seeing my grandson was like seeing my son little all over again; Buddy is his father’s carbon copy. Codey spent every waking moment with Buddy, even took him to work with him when he was able. 

Fast forward 5 years- SURPRISE!  Another boy on the way! Hudson was not planned, but a blessing nonetheless! Codey was so excited for his little addition to the family. It was all he talked about. Buddy was over the moon to have a baby brother, too.  

Little did we know, November 1, 2022, would etch the last day in the stone of my son’s life. He would never get to meet Hudson who was born 4 months later. I spend my time now trying my best to fill those boots my son left behind- reading stories, rocking to sleep, tickling and snuggling on this little guy; providing for him in all the ways my son would, had he chose to stay. 

This snapshot of Codey’s life could never convey, as hard as I’d like to try, his big and crazy personality- his dark humor, his robust laugh, that jokester mindset he never grew out of and the love; his selfless nature and love that knew NO limits for his family and his friends. He was one heck of a man who loved his children, loved his niece and nephews, his parents and siblings. Our hearts are still bandaged from the impact of his loss. As we continue mending and nursing our hearts here on earth, we pack those wounds with memories of his pranks, his jokes, his laugh and love. To have known him was my life’s greatest blessing and his memory will forever live on." ~Ami (Codeys Mother)