Nathan Joel Donaldson

If you were blessed enough to know Nathan, you know that there are no words to sum him up in a traditional obituary.

Through the many that loved him, we will attempt to describe a selfless man the best that we can. Collectively these words will never give him the credit that he deserves and are just a small snapshot of the man that he was, and this will surely fall short of what he truly meant to so many. He will live on through the people that he touched with his unconditional love, endless counseling, and helping to heal everyone he encountered with whatever battle they were fighting. He viewed life differently than most and always reminded us to live in the present moment and if that moment passed, we would never get it back. While the world ran around, Nathan simply walked.

Nathan excelled at many things in life but nothing more than being a loving husband to Tracy and father to Marley, Eli, and Cooper. He spent every second with them on his mind but also found the time to take care of everyone else. He also did many other things in his life; from owning his own business, to mastering the stay-at-home father role while finishing grad school at the University of Illinois, to his time at DACC where he mentored countless students. Wherever he was, he knew how to reach many people who would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

He was filled with so much wisdom and always had the answer in every situation. He knew how to guide us in the right direction, and he knew how to console us in our greatest time of need. His presence didn’t command a room it energized it—Nathan radiated an energy that was absorbed by others, and if you needed to laugh, his incredible sense of humor could help you out. He could quickly assess a situation and know what was needed to help because he was honestly curious about the world around him and was a keen observer and listener. He was one of those few people in the world that could make you feel like everything was going to be okay, no matter what the situation was, how impossible it might seem to get through it, or how far off the solution to it was.

He could give you exactly what you needed in your weakest moment and he never wanted anything in return. If you tried, he would often say, “I’m good. I know I can’t pour from an empty cup, and my cup is overflowing. I have everything I need just being here. With my family, my friends, this day, I have everything I could have ever wanted and more.” He was on a constant quest to discover his path in life and what new adventure awaited him around the next turn of it, and was passionate about helping others discover and walk the path that was right for them. Watching him move throughout his life, quietly and humbly helping others, made you want to be a better person, to live up to the example he set.

Now you’re gone, these words could never describe the man you were. We lost a great one who left this world a better place than he found it. We all are in your debt and it must be repaid by taking the moments we had with you and passing them on to others. You will be dearly missed and will never be forgotten by your mother Barbara Donaldson, siblings Timothy (Page) Donaldson, Steve Donaldson, Sharon (Billy) Keith, and Elizabeth (Jon) Seeley; and as his son Cooper said when he was very young, the remainder of the “Best Whole Family,” your wife Tracy and your children Marley, Eli, and Cooper.

He was preceded by his father Paul and his sister Charmaine.

Rest in peace, beautiful soul. You made this world a better place.

A private family service will take place with a celebration of Nathan's life to be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Nathan's memory may be made to Danville Rescue Mission or a hospice organization of the donor's choice. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.