Donald Gene Goldsby Sr.'s Obituary
Donald Gene Goldsby, Sr., known as Don, was born December 24, 1946, in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, and passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, in Alameda, California, shortly after celebrating his 79th birthday.
A United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam era who served in combat and earned the Purple Heart, Don was a skilled rifle marksman who took pride in his service. He also spoke candidly about the realities of war, believing that many good people are lost on both sides and that all deserved respect and remembrance.
After returning home, Don earned an Associate’s Degree in Machine Technology from Laney College and began a long career in aerospace. He worked the graveyard shift for his entire career, providing stability for his family while much of the world slept.
A loving husband, devoted father, dedicated grandfather, brother, uncle, relative, and dear friend to many, Don was steady, disciplined, and deeply protective.
He built his life throughout the East Bay, living in Hayward and Union City before raising his children in San Ramon and Blackhawk. In retirement, he spent his time between Oakland and Louisiana, remaining closely connected to both the Bay Area he helped build and the Southern home that shaped him.
Don will be remembered for his animated Southern wit, strong sense of responsibility, and deep belief that life is a gift from God. In his final days, he continued to check on his loved ones, often asking, “Is everybody okay?” His family reassured him that everyone was alright. Later, he whispered, “I want to go home.” And he did.
He is survived by his wife, Remona Goldsby; his children, Shalon Maudsley-King and Donald Goldsby, Jr.; his step-children, Sonja Saulsberry Foy and LaTasha Saulsberry; his grandchildren, Christopher Maudsley and Alyssa Goldsby; his siblings, John L. Goldsby and Roosevelt Hunter; as well as extended family, lifelong friends, and many whose lives were shaped by his example.
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