Donnie Charles Nash

Donnie Charles Nash, 61, died May 24, 2011, with his family gathered by his side: wife, Elaine; son, Adam; daughters, Jennifer Nieves, Sara Blydenburgh, and Amie Nash; as well as his beloved son-in-law, Phil Blydenburgh.

Donnie was born to Joe and Louise Nash in Oklahoma in April 1950 and celebrated his 61st birthday with his family this spring.

Surviving are his sister, Celia Wright of Wimberley, Texas; cousin, Larry McClain of Katy, Texas; and cousin Mitzie Bradbury of Grape Vine, Texas. The memorial was at the home that he built in Sutton; and we were blessed by the presence of many, including the honor guard from Anchorage, as he was a veteran of the Navy.

Donnie was torn between his children and grandchildren in Alaska, and his roots and family in Wimberley, Texas. According to his wishes, his cremated remains will be spread in both places.

Donnie’s best form of expressing himself was through the music he enjoyed playing, as well as the songs he had collected over the years. The staff at Mat-Su Regional, in their unwavering support of the family, allowed the songs from his iPod to be played as we waited by his bedside. Donnie chose to leave his body here as the song “I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand) performed by Marty Stuart was playing. It was his last message to his family and to this earth.

“We miss him greatly, and yet know that he has gone on to a much better place,” his family said.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.