Donald "Donnie" R. Soles

Donald “Donnie” R. Soles, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the age of 69.   He was born August 22, 1951 in Crestview, Florida to P.D. and Elmira Soles.  Shortly after finishing high school, Donnie started working with his dad in the construction business.  He worked for Tops’l in Destin, John Keener Construction in Ft. Walton Beach for several years, then decided to start his own construction business, D&J.  For the last eight years, Donnie was the groundskeeper and caretaker of the animals at Victoria Stables.  He loved this job!  At home, he looked forward to Springtime when he could start a vegetable garden, planting potatoes, corn, and plenty of peas.  He liked watching NASCAR racing on television and had the pleasure of attending three of the races, with the last one being held in Las Vegas.  When he had the chance, he enjoyed going fishing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, P.D. and Elmira; one grandchild, Nathan ; one brother, Lemuel “Buddy” Soles; and two sisters, Laura Belle Wilkerson, and Alice Faye Cole.

Donnie is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Cherly Lee Soles; daughter, Amy Catoe; sons, Patrick D. Soles, Donald R. Soles, Jr, Steven L. Partridge, Jerry D. Partridge, and David E. Partridge; sisters, Shirley McDonald, Evelyn Chase, and Mary Nell Whitaker; grandchildren, Daniele, Dusty, Taylor, Kelsie, Wesley, and Alisha, Landi, Mikey, Brandon, Damon, Miranda, Devin, and Gracie; great-grandchildren, Jace, Brooklyn, Jameson, Camryn, Billy, Camden, Asher, Remington, Colton, Kinley, Jameson, Aria, Anakm, and Violet; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Donnie's life  will be held Friday, July 2, 2021 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home and Crematory of DeFuniak.