Obituary

Donald E. Varnado

December 3, 1944 - September 15, 2023

Donald E. Varnado, age 78 and a resident of the Oak Grove Community, passed away Friday night September 15, 2023 at Our Lady of Angels Hospital in Bogalusa. He was a life-long Washington Parish resident, being born in Bogalusa on December 3, 1944 and later attending Bogalusa High School. Donald worked as a welder and ship-fitter for Halter Marine for 25 years before being employed at Rayborn Correctional Center, where he made many friends. Some of his favorite pastimes were deer hunting and fishing, before his health began to decline. Donald always enjoyed the Hunt family dinners, but especially the weekly Sunday dinners when the tables were filled and all the family were gathered at his mother in law’s house. He loved his pet Chihuahuas, especially Tay, and referred to them as his babies.

Survived by: Wife: Karen Varnado; Children and Spouses: Tammy and Brian Dunn, Tonya and Chris Kimball, Lane and Jane Whitney, Brandon and Chrissy Varnado; Grandchildren and Spouses: Kayla and Jared Payzant, Kortney and Ben Gilmore, Nathan Dunn, C.J. and Jennifer Kimball, Anna Katherine and Cameron Wade, Taylor Whitney and fiancé Pat Smith, Jonathan Slaughter; Brothers in law and a Sister in law: Paul and Ida Hunt, Kim Hunt

He was preceded in death by his father Albert Varnado and mother Della Mae Murphy Parker, Major Varnado, his grandfather and mentor as a child, sisters Geneva Varnado, Willie Mae Dubbison, Peggy Sue Varnado Broussard, Mary Margaret Collins, Doris Varnado Perez, Clara Mae Volz, father in law and mother in law Vernon and Aline Hunt, brother in law Michael Hunt, sister in law and brother in law Jackie and Tony Harrison.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Tuesday September 19th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 10:00 am on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 pm Wednesday with Rev. Lynn Martin and Rev. Derek Dantin officiating. Burial will follow in the Hunt Family Cemetery near his home.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to Our Lady of Angels ICU for taking such excellent care of Donald, as needed, for the past couple of years. The care they provided was always exceptional.

Pallbearers: Cole Hunt, Luke Hunt, Kevin Harrison, Aaron Thomas, Jeff Simmons, Michael Pierce

Honorary Pallbearers are Scott Harrison and Roy Mercantel