Melton "Jerome" Donato

Melton “Jerome” Donato, Sr. was born on August 15, 1945 in Kansas City, MO. He was the only child born to Joetta Cooper and Lawrence Donato.

Jerome grew up in Kansas City, MO. He received his formal education in the Kansas City School District. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963.

Jerome accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. He was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years. He served as the Usher Ministry President and was a faithful usher. He was also a member of the Male Chorus.

Jerome was a hard-working man and was blessed with many talents. He worked for Ashcraft as a printer. He also worked for and retired from NOMDA, where he was a Maintenance Supervisor. He enjoyed the culinary arts and was owner of Donato’s catering business, catering several weddings and special functions. And, he designed the first Image Maker jackets for his beloved church.

Jerome was united in marriage to Renee Wallace on August 12, 1989. They were blessed with twenty-nine special, wonderful years of marriage.

Jerome departed this life on April 12, 2018, from cardiac arrest. He was preceded in death by his loving grandmother, Elizabeth Robertson, father, Lawrence Donato and mother, Joetta Cooper.

Jerome leaves to cherish his memories: his loving, devoted wife and best friend, Renee, Aunt Margaret White, Uncle Fenwick Robertson (LaJuene), three sons: Melton Jerome Donato, Jr., Dwayne L. Donato, Sr. (Bobbie) and Michael Donato. Two daughters: LaTonya Johnson (Phelan) and Tina Martin (Ron), special cousin, Portia Jones (James), special grandson, Dwayne “Deuce” Donato, special legal God-daughter, D’Andria “Dee-Dee” Blow, twenty-four grand-children, thirteen great grand-children and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.