Donald Kelii Kalama's Obituary
Celebrating the life of Donald Keli‘i Kalama. Born on October 1, 1936 in Honokohua, Maui. His parents were Stephen Keli‘i Kalama and Mae Wahineo‘okae Kalama.
He was the third of six surviving children, following Stephen Jr., and Myrna, and ahead of Blossom, Anna, and Alvin.
Donald was a star football and basketball player at Lahainaluna High School on Maui.
He proudly served in the United Sates Army from September 15, 1960, to August 16, 1962, and in the United States Army Reserve until August 31, 1966, when he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Part of his military tour was spent in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
He married Vonda Sedgwick, of Arco, Idaho, on January 30, 1965, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tabernacle on Beretania Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. Donald and Vonda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 31, 2015, at the Ko‘olau Ballroom in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
After retiring in 2001 with over 40 years as a truck driver, Donald enjoyed another several years shuttling Hawaii Pacific University students between the school’s Windward and Downtown campuses.
Donald was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahalu‘u Ward, where he served as First Assistant to the High Priest Group and Assistant Ward Clerk.
Donald was proud of his children – Donna and Kevin – and could always be found cheering loudly at their school and sports events.
In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling, performing his church duties, listening to Hawaiian music, walking, maintaining his enviable yard, and spending time with his grandson Josh.
He is survived by wife, Vonda Sedgwick Kalama; son, Donald Kevin Kalama; daughter, Donna Kalama; brothers, Stephen Kalama and Alvin Kalama; sisters, Myrna Lyerla, Blossom Kalua, and Anna Kisner; one grandson, Josh Kalama.
Visitation: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16, 2015 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Kaneohe (across from King Intermediate School); Service to begin at 11:30 a.m. burial to follow: 2:00 p.m. at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.
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