Mal Donelson

Malvin Lewis Donelson, 79, formerly of Snyder, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2015 in Robert Lee, TX., after a lengthy illness. A memorial service for Mr. Donelson will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Snyder. Services are under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

He was born on March 30, 1935 in Clovis, NM to Walter and Nell Donelson. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1953. He left for Lubbock to play football for Texas Tech where after his first year, he decided to go to the boxing ring where he was past Golden Gloves Champion. That all came to halt when he met the love of his life. He married Bobbie Jo McShan on July 26, 1955 in Littlefield, TX. They move to Dallas shortly after where he worked for Graham Paper Company. He excelled in business and was given a life time membership to the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. He was twice voted as the best dressed man in Dallas. After a near death experience with a brain tumor, he decided to move back closer to family and moved to Lubbock. There he was the sales manager at Modern Chevrolet in Lubbock. In 1967, he and Bobbie Jo moved to Snyder where he was the sales manager for Les Francis Chevrolet. He purchased the dealership from Francis in 1971. He owned and operated Mal Donelson Chevrolet until the end of 1989. Mal was very active in the community and loved his children and his children's friends and most of all, his grandchildren. He was a role model for the saying, "Treat people the way you want to be treated."

He was 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Bobbie Jo Donelson of Robert Lee, TX. A son and daughter in law, Devin and Cynthia Donelson of Anson, TX. A daughter, Laurie Gillman of Washington, D.C.

Six grand children

Jordan Donelson of Snyder, TX., Keagan Donelson of Snyder, TX., Brady Donelson of Brady, TX., Asher Donelson of Brady, TX., Lauren Donelson of Levelland, TX., and Emily Szuch of Amarillo, TX.

Five Great grandchildren

One brother in law, Jimmy McShan of Denton, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.