Earlton Charles Donnell, Jr. departed this life at his home in Snellville on July 15, 2011 after a long illness. Colonel Donnell was an active professional military officer for a quarter of a century, prior to his teaching position at Morgan County High School. Over his stint as an officer and gentleman, Colonel Donnell flew many missions out of Guam into Viet Nam. He wore many hats in the US Air Force, including but not limited to, Chief/Mission Support, Technical Training Instructor, Commander, Bombadier, Navigator, Radar Navigator and Director of Operations of the entire Southeast Region for college and university ROTC. Colonel Donnell was awarded and authorized to wear numerous awards from his service as a military officer. He received many badges, citations, medals and campaign ribbons. They included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with one, two and three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, AF Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and on and on. He was recognized for his honor, service, and leadership abilities throughout his career. Colonel Donnell began his military career by enrolling in the ROTC program at North Carolina A & T State University. Upon graduation, with a Bachelorâ??s of Science Degree in Chemistry, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. His professional military education included Navigator-Bombadier Training(Sacramento, CA), Squadron Officers School(Montgomery, AL), Air Command and Staff College (Montgomery, AL) in residence, and the National Security Management Course online. Colonel Donnell earned his Masterâ??s of Science Degree in Sociology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Col. Donnell retired from the United States Air Force in 1994 and began his sixteen year teaching career at Morgan County High School. He was the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI), Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, JROTC, in Madison, Georgia. As the SASI, Colonel Donnell was responsible for overall operation of all aspects of JROTC for more than 100 cadets per semester. He provided curriculum instruction in Aerospace Science while providing leadership by example. His insightful development of the JROTC program allowed cadets the opportunity to participate in color guard, drill team, awareness presentation programs and other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.Colonel Donnellâ??s passion was people, no matter the age. He loved talking, visiting, and listening to fellow citizens. He was a friendly man, a stranger to no one and a father to many. He liked to dance, listen to Motown music, and he enjoyed watching cooking shows. Colonel Donnell is survived by his wife, Mae Montgomery Donnell, of Greensboro, North Carolina; a son, Eric Donnell, of Culver City, California; a daughter, Maegan Donnell, of Covington, Georgia; a sister, Yvette Donnell Garrett, of Danville, Virginia; a special sister-in law, Virginia Donnell(Felton), a granddaughter, Lily Clare Lindsey Donnell, of Santa Monica, California and a host of brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved pets, the neighborhood rat pack form North Carolina and many other students and friends.Colonel Donnellâ??s VIEWING is on Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 10 until 4 at Gregory Levett & Sons Funeral Home at 914 Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville, Georgia.In addition, Colonel Donnell will be viewed in Greensboro, North Carolina at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home on East Market Street on Sunday, July 24, 2011 from noon until 3:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 5:00 p.m.