Donald Murray Semple, 92, widower of Jacqueline Eloyse (Troy) Semple of 1668 Middlebrook Road, Staunton, Virginia and formerly of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2017 at his residence.
Mr. Semple was born on November 11, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Ellsworth George and Dorothy (Spain) Semple.
Donald attended Walkers Creek Community Church, Zack, Virginia and Wayne Hills Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Virginia. He was also a member of Shannon Oaks Church in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He was a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard during WWII and was retired from the Hon Company as a plant engineer. Mr. Semple was a Community Bible Study teacher, a lay pastor for the United Methodist churches in Texas, a member of the Oriental Mission Society in Greenwood, Indiana, and he was an avid golfer and baseball fan.
In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a son, Steven E. Semple; a daughter, Beverly J. Switala; and a sister, Florence S. Conroy.
Surviving are two daughters, Donna J. Semple of Staunton, Virginia and Cheryl L. Pierce and her husband Charley of Sulphur Springs, Texas, and an adopted daughter, Barbara A. Sawyer of Staunton, Virginia; a son, Kenneth M. Semple and fianc Ardy of Corsicana, Texas; a son-in-law, James E. Switala and wife Hattie of Littleton, Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Marlean D. Semple of Edgewood, Texas; a brother, Kenneth L. Semple and wife Barbara of Glen Allen, Virginia; four grandchildren, Kristy M. Whitlock and her husband Michael, Andrew J. Switala and his wife Brittney, Rachel Semple, and Christopher B. Lindley and wife Tessa; and twelve great-grandchildren also survive.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Walkers Creek Community Church in Zack, Virginia by Pastor Barbara A. Sawyer.
It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to the A.C.T., c/o Advancing Native Missions, P.O. Box 5303, Charlottesville, Virginia 22905.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of his arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.