Donnie Joe Eldred, 80, died on October 25, 2020 in Nocona, TX. He was born on April 6, 1940 in Nocona, Texas. He graduated from Nocona High School and attended North Texas State University. He married Erma Ruth Thomas on July 8, 1961. He worked for several years at the Nocona Boot Company, then the US Postal Service and retired from Texas A & M in 2005 as a poultry epidemiologist. 

Donnie and Erma loved to take road trips to Corpus Christi to fish and enjoy the beach. Donnie taught his family an appreciation of going to and learning about new places. He had a wonderful witty sense of humor. His hobbies included raising and showing chickens. He had a passion for the study of genetics, which led him to successfully developing his own species of chicken, The Lavender Silkie. He also enjoyed gardening, but most of all he loved being with his family. He loved the large family reunions each summer during which his and Erma’s home was open to many extended family members. 

Donnie was a member of The Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Erma Eldred of Nocona, TX, daughter, Carla & husband Russell Boone, son, Jay and wife Amanda Eldred, all of Corinth, TX., three Grandsons, Evan Boone & wife, Kara, Connor Boone and wife, Taylor and Thomas Jay Eldred. 3 Great-Granddaughters, McKenna Laurie Boone, Jenna Marie Boone and Ainsley Jaye Boone, Half-Sister, Sandra Funderburk of Bedford, Tx. He was preceded in death by his parents J.V. Cooper and Daly Allison Cooper.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 5-6pm at Jerry Woods Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Patrick Hill officiating.

Memorial Donations may be made in Donnie’s name to Bethel Baptist Church, American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Foundation.