Donald O'Brien Batchelor, Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Batchelor were held Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Iron City United Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Harvey officiating. Interment followed in Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville. You may share your thoughts with the family by visiting our website at www.evansskipperfh.com. Mr. Batchelor was born January 17, 1935 to the late Lina Yates Batchelor Strickland and Collie Batchelor. The Yates family helped settle Decatur and Seminole Counties, especially Don's great uncle, Jonathan Donalson, which the city of Donalsonville takes it name. A graduate of Seminole County High School, he attended Gordon Military Academy and College during two of his high school years. He was a member of Signa Nu fraternity at Florida State University and obtained a Master's degree in Criminology from Nova University , Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He retired after 37 years from the Florida Department of Corrections in January, 2000, where he was the Director of Training for many years, as well as being warden of state institutions at various locations in the state during his long tenure. He was active in many professional organizations and served on many boards: Masonic Lodge-3rd Degree; Florida Sheriff's Assocation; Pinellas County Sheriff's Association advisor; Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; served on the Board of Training for several colleges and technical schools, including Chipola Community College, North Florida Community College, Pat Thomas Training Academy, Okaloosa-Walton Community College, George Stone Technical Center, Gulf Coast Community College, Florida State University and Florida A & M University. He coordinated the Job Training Placement Act (JTPA) with the colleges and universities. Representing the Department of Corrections, he was the United Way coordinator for sixteen Florida panhandle counties. He was always an active member serving on numerous committees and many positions of leadership from Church School Superintendent to heading the tithing drive at the large St. Paul United Methodist Church in Largo, FL, and a Lay Leader and a Board of Trustees member at Iron City United Methodist Church in Iron City. Don was a scoutmaster for the Webelows and Boy Scouts for many years in Clearwater, FL. and he was a Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball League, which had 36 teams, as well as serving as a team coach each year. He served as an airplane radar operator in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. With other community members, he was instrumental in forming the Iron City Volunteer Fire Department, and served as its first Fire Chief. He is survived by his wife, Annette Herndon Batchelor; one son, Donald O'Brien Batchelor, Jr., of Destin, FL; one granddaughter, Lindsey Nicole Batchelor, of Destin, FL. He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Eugene Batchelor and his mother and father. Pallbearers were Alan Ingram, Ronnie Ingram, Ed Mitchell, Joel Greene, Jud Greene and Ray McIntosh. Memorial contributions may be made to Iron City United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 62, Iron City, GA 39859