John Donald Routh, Sr, age 86, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Born December 23, 1935, to John and Gladys Routh, Donald was the middle child of three children, always a hard worker with a mind for engineering. He went on to become a Lineman and Troubleman for Florida Power & Light. Donald met and married his wife Catherine in 1956, and built the house they are still proud to call home, filling it with their three children. In 1982 they bought a local outdoor power equipment store, Gravely of Bradenton, and it remained family owned and operated for 40 years until they sold it in 2022. Donald and Catherine were married for 66 years.
Donald was an enthusiastic and gifted horticulturist, specializing in rare orchids and fruit trees. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time boating, fishing, and hunting. Donald had the ability to build or fix just about anything. Aside from outdoors, you could find Donald at the head of his dining room table enjoying seafood and a large glass of sweet iced tea, or in his favorite chair, watching the evening news.
Donald was known affectionately as "Papa,“ and it’s a title he held proudly, spending ample time with all his grandchildren and imparting upon them his knowledge, skills, and interests. He had a tenacious and determined attitude, which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his quick-witted humor, never passing up a good prank.
Donald is survived by his wife, Catherine; their children, John D. Routh (Legia), Deborah K. Johnson, and Ronald S. Routh; his brother, Roy M. Routh, Sr. (Katherine) and sister, Myrtle R. Routh; his grandchildren, Whitney B. Routh, Brandon K. Johnson (Laura), Nicolas S. Routh, John A. Routh, Devin C. Routh (Anna), and Shelby M. Routh; and his 10 great-grandchildren.
No services have been announced at this time. Condolences may be made to www.griffithcline.com.
