Dr. John Donelson, III

dr. john donelson, iii
John Donelson, 68, has been an active research scientist in the Washington community for the past 40 years. He died on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 of sudden complications in his treatment for cancer. He was educated at McCallie School for Boys in Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Yale University in 1963. He received his doctorate degree from Stanford University in 1972. He taught at Johns Hopkins University and transfered to the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA). He taught at George Mason University and George Washington University and developed a PhD program for Computational Sciences and Informatics. He was a Principal Investigator and Program Manager at SAIC for 25 years. He has been very active in Democratic politics. He was appointed to the National Advisory Board for The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson. He studied and worked closely with other scientists on the subject of Cosmology. He ran marathons, loved bicycling, classical music and attending symphonies. His knowledge of history was phenomenal. John was born in Nashville, Tennessee and is a direct descendant of Capt. John Donelson, who founded Nashville. His family history is directly connected to President Andrew Jackson. He greatly respected his family's place in the history of Tennessee. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janice, his three children, Susan of Alexandria, Va., John and Brendan, both of Nashville, TN, four grandchildren and many devoted colleagues and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hermitage, 4580 Rachel's Lane, Nashville, TN 37076 or to the Brown Center for Autism, 2702 Greystone Rd., Nashville, TN. 37204

Family Gathering:

Unity of Washington

DC

US

Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180

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Guestbook

  1. John was my friend and colleague over the past 10 years. I will miss him. So will all those who had the pleasure of working with him. My wife describes John as the perfect southern gentlement. I concur.

  2. I’d only known John for about 3 years but quickly gained a deep appreciation for his intellect and excellent demeanor. I could have talked for hours with John about trains and history, two of his passions. Wonderful gentleman. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

  3. Oh, Janice, We are so grieved for you and your children. I will miss John more than I can tell you. He was such a pleasure for me to meet and have for a cousin. I was so very proud of him and of you. How sad I am. May God be with you and uphold you by his almighty grace. My love and prayers, Nancy

  4. My husband Mark worked with John worked with SAIC. I spoke with John on the phone many times and he was a true gentleman. Mark and I will miss him very much.

  5. My prayers and thoughts go out to Janice, her children and friends. John was my landlord and friend for almost 14 years. He was one of the best men I’ve ever been associated with. He was loyal, kind and caring and is greatly missed.

  6. John was always patient and willing to help others. It didn’t matter to him if you needed help moving furniture or solving abstact mathematical problems for National Defense, John was there for his friends when they needed help.

  7. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. My deepest sympathy to you all. I began working with John on our FRA contract back in 1999. He was a brilliant man who was very passionate about his work. He was certainly a pleasure to work with and we greatly appreciate his significant contributions to the railroad industry. God Bless.

  8. Janice, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time. Our neighborhood will never be the same, and we will miss John.

  9. Dear Janice, I was so sad to hear of your loss. John was a sweet gentleman who was such a supportive “art husband.” I feel lucky to have known him. You and your family are in my thoughts.

  10. John was at IDA when I joined in 1974. Although we were colleagues for only a few years, I clearly remember him as friendly, helpful, and a talented researcher. My condolences to his family.

  11. Janice, I am so sorry for your loss, so shocking in its suddenness. I knew John for over twenty years, primarily through a seminar founded by Jerry Lin at George Mason University. For the last several years we met for several hours every week to study cosmology. John wanted to know about the universe we live in. Our seminar meetings went all the way up to the last week of his life. He was a scholar and a gentleman and a warm human being. I am grateful for all the time I had with him.

  12. Janice, Roy and I were so shocked and sad to receive news of John’s death. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Your former neighbors, Eileen and Roy Guenther

  13. To me, John was a colleague, friend, and teacher. His knowledge of mathematics was phenomenal. I regret he did not have the time to teach me more. He was an intellectual soul mate. I will miss him very much.

  14. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to John’s family. Those of us in his circle of friends and intellectual compatriots also feel a keen sense of loss. His participation in seminars on general relativity and cosmology has been noted, but in recent months he has also participated very substantially in a quantum field theory seminar, and his ability to analyze and communicate mathematical material at the highest level will be sorely missed. He has taught us all a lot.

  15. Several years ago I had the privelege to work for John on a signal processing and data analysis task in connection with his FRA contract. John was always appreciative of my contributions and wanted to know and understand in depth how the methods worked. I was impressed by his broad knowledge and the way he handled all facets of the work from marketing and sponsor support to the details of the science and hardware implementations. He was an asset in any job and a pleasure to know.

  16. Dear Janice, Joe and I were so saddened when we were told of John’s death. William contacted us and we had had no idea of his illness. We are out of the country at this time. Please know that you and all the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Rachel McAllister

  17. Dear Janice and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you each day. We love John and we love all of you. Ciddy and Bob Wordell

  18. Dear Janice, Susan, Brendan and John … Our thoughts are with you and your family during this time of great loss. May the wonderful memories you all share provide warmth and comfort. All who know him will miss his soft-spoken nature. He was a true Southern Gentleman. Bless you. — In deepest Sympathy, from Thea Adam and Nicolas

  19. Dear Janice, Susan, Brendan and John … Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult occasion. May the wonderful memories you all share provide warmth and comfort to you during this time. All who know him will miss his soft-spoken nature. He was a true Southern Gentleman. Bless you. — In deepest Sympathy, from Thea Adam and Nicolas

  20. Dear Janice and Family, I worked with John for several years at SAIC in Falls Church. John was a great co-worker and a good friend. My wife and I used to bump into John on the W&OD bike path while he was out keeping in great shape. He always stopped to chat and we truly enjoyed his company. He will be missed by all who knew him. We will keep him in our prayers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all his family.

  21. Janice, John, Susan and Brendan, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. John will be missed by us all.

  22. Dear Janice, Susan, Brendan and John, Our thoughts are with you and your family during this period of great loss. Christine called us from Nashville and we were so sad to hear this news. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day through this difficult time. We love you, Howard and Jean Hensley

  23. Janice and family, It is very sad that John has passed away. John, Andy McDaniel, and I have had seminar together at George Mason University since 1988, although I didnt join the seminar in recent years. John was a very knowledgeable and motivated scientist. Last semester (2009 fall) we were talking about having a lunch together but didnt get a chance to schedule one. So now I am going to miss having a lunch with him. John, I will miss you and your mathematics forever.

  24. Having spent alot of time at the Donelson house growing up the house was always a whirlwind of activity and people. Mr. Donelson (as I referred to him) was always a quiet person. We all knew that he was exceptionally smart but weren’t sure exactly what he did. I think during the 80’s we assumed that he was working on that Star Wars Reagan stuff. However, as smart and serious as he was what I will remember is that he could really laugh with the best of them and there were definetly plenty of laughs. Clay Flanagan Annapolis, MD

  25. Janice and family, So very sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your husband/father. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  26. Donelsons’ The hand of Divinity may not always seem so divine. Mr. Donelson is and always will be in Divine Hands. Growing up in his presence amongst Janice and Family, I am one of the blessed. Fond memories circulate through my mind extending to all those who were touched by such a humble, genuine family man. An asset to humanity. His presence is forever remembered. Please accept my presence in heart, character and spiritual recognition of my heartfeltdenes. Neil Reilly Vienna VA

  27. Dearest Janice, John, Susan and Brendan…. I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Mr. Donelson. Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. I will always keep fond memories of him from my childhood. He will be remembered as a gentle, soft-spoken, kind man. He really seemed to be a loving family man, husband and father. He will always be remembered… with love, The Banta’s (Steve, Paras, Cyrus & Dariya)

  28. Dear Janice, John, Susan and Brendan, Cecylia and I did not have the honor of meeting John but we think the world of Susan & Kendrick Partain in VA, through my business. Clearly, he was a remarkable man who was loved by so many. May God give you comfort and strength during this difficult time as only He can! With our Deepest Sympathies, Russ and Cecylia Schoper

  29. Dear Janice, I last saw John and you together a year ago. John seemed so fit, and we chatted briefly about golf. His passing is indeed a shock. As the lovely service and program indicate, John was a wonderful husband and father and truly a man of extraordinary talent. Shirley and I feel privileged to have known your family over the years. We join in cherishing John’s memory. Our deepest sympathy to you and you family.

  30. The extended Donelson Family sends our condolences to Janice & her children, John, Susan & Brendan, & their families in this time of our mutual loss. In addition to his immediate family, John Donelson III is survived by: His Brother, William Stokley Donelson II & his beloved soulmate JudithAnn Orman of Nashville, TN; William’s son, William Stokley Donelson III, wife Catherine & children Rachel, Stokley & Durham of Nashville; William’s son, David Donelson, wife Melissa & children Emily & Caroline of Nashville; William’s son, Daniel Donelson, wife Kathryn & son Samuel of Nashville; Niece Elizabeth Williams Butler, husband Forrest & children Emily, Elizabeth & Edward of Charlottesville, VA; Niece Mary Williams Wolf & husband Frederick of Charlottesville; Niece Sarah Williams Gelling, husband Scott & children Patrick, John, James & Catherine of Tewantin, Australia; and, Nephew James Thomas Williams IV, wife Ashley, & children Nathaniel, Harrison & Elizabeth of Lookout Mtn, TN.

  31. As close friends of John’s son Brendan and his family here in Nashville, our families have shared a common journey in raising young children with autism. Over the past 3 years, we heard Brendan and Christina speak affectionately about John, and were honored to finally meet him and be welcomed graciously into the elder Donelson home when visiting the D.C. area last spring. In the short few days of our visit, we were truly made to feel warmly welcomed. John was an intensely amazing person with a gentle and quiet nature, who still possessed a relentless thirst for knowledge. John and our young son, Ben, who has autism and is also a mathematics prodigy, sparked much engaging conversation between them. As a result of being a grandparent of a child with autism, John also expressed a deep interest in the research of autism, and an interest and respect for maximizing opportunities for the future of individuals impacted by autism. Grandson Patrick was the apple of his eye, and bears a marked physical resemblance to Granddad John. We feel genuinely blessed to have had the opportunity to meet John, and express our deepest condolences to Janice and the entire Donelson family.

  32. Dear Janice: I was so saddened to read of John’s death. May your many wonderful memories bring you comfort and keep him close in heart. With deepest sympathy to you and your family, Terry

  33. Janice, Susan, John, Brendan, Je comprends votre douleur devant cette injustice. John était pour nous l’ambassadeur de cette merveilleuse Amérique. Je m’exprime en Français, cette langue qu’il connaissait si bien. John, tous ceux qui t’ont connus ici en France ne t’oublieront pas. Ils n’oublieront pas ta rigueur, ta compétence scientifique, tes avis toujours judicieux et ton exploit jamais égalé d’avoir osé traverser la place du général de Gaulle, avec une voiture de location, à 6 pm, en sortant de l’avion. Salut John, tu n’est vraiment pas de ceux qu’on oublie. Janice, Susan, John, Brendan, I understand your pain in front of this injustice. John was for us the ambassador of this marvellous America. I express myself in French, this language which he knew so well. John, all those which knew you here in France will not forget you. They will not forget your rigor, your scientific competence, your always judicious opinions and your exploit never equalized to have dared to cross the place of General de Gaulle, with a rented car, at 6 pm, without any knowledge of Parisian circulation Hello John, you is really not those which one forgets.

  34. Janice – We are so shocked and saddened. As well as way out of the loop. We didn’t find out about John’s passing until today (5/14/10) when the Yale Alumni Magazine arrived. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. And we hope that you are doing OK. Love…Lisa & Victor


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