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Celebrating the life of

James Darnell (Donnie) Fears

December 23, 1958 - September 27, 2024

James Darnell (Donnie) Fears

James Darnell “Donnie” Fears age 65 passed on, on September 27, 2024, peacefully with his brother and his Great Dane “Mickey” at his side.  After a courageous 7-year battle with cancer, he went home to be with his Lord in the home he was raised in and dearly loved as a child. A lifelong resident of Burnside Island, he was the youngest of three children born to the late Robert Lee and Mary Frances Fears of Savannah.

Donnie graduated from Pathway Day School where he played football and basketball.  Donnie would then become a member of the Local 188 Pipefitters Union where he initially worked a number of years at Alloy Welding and later via the union hall at numerous facilities throughout the Savannah area.  He retired after 40 plus years of service.  Donnie grew up with unfettered access to the Burnside River and all the surrounding creeks and barrier islands.  From sunrise to sunset, he loved being in the river either water skiing, fishing, shrimping, crabbing, or joy riding the rivers and creeks.   Fishing became a favorite pastime for Donnie and early in his life it transitioned into a lifelong adventure, a pastime which he shared fellowship with many of his friends. 

Donnie acquired a Great Dane puppy he named “Dixie” and immediately, introduced her to his passion of fishing the creeks and rivers of Green Island sound and Ossabaw Island. He was a familiar sight on Burnside Island and could be seen driving the roads in his vintage blue 1966 Chevrolet pickup truck with Dixie (and later Mickey) by his side.  Donnie was generous with his knowledge of fishing and enjoyed taking friends to his favorite fishing spots.

His fishing trips with Dixie later became an Emmy winning local television series called “Fishin’ with Dixie”.  Each episode featured Donnie and Dixie hosting friends at some of his favorite fishing spots.   In time Donnie added a new venture to his life experience.  In partnership with his friend Jeff Thomas, the two formed a corporation, developed and then began marketing a popping cork called the Burnside Bopper. 

Donnie was a frequent visitor to Ossabaw Island and enjoyed spending time visiting with Mrs. Sandy West (island owner) and roaming the roads and beaches of the island. He loved the island and had an immense appreciation for the history and beauty of this special place.

Donnie’s journey can only be described as a life well lived. He was a devoted Christian, long time member of Compassion Christian Church and lived his life as a Christ follower. He was an outdoorsman who along his journey in life absorbed all nature had to offer.

Later in his adult years, he opened his home to a new Great Dane named Mickey. He also began making his own brand of customized fishing rods (Dixie Dog Custom Rods) for saltwater trout and drum fishing…rods which were signed and given to many of his lifelong friends. He also enjoyed sitting on his dock with Mickey watching the sunsets over Green Island sound.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lee and Mary Frances Fears. His surviving siblings are a brother Robert Lee “Bobby” Fears, Jr and his sister Sharon Lee Daniel (Noel).  He leaves behind two nieces Sherrie Oliver (Chad and great nephew, Alston) and Melissa Smith (Patrick) and countless friends.

A sincere word of appreciation to Chip & Debbie Wallace for their invaluable care and love of Donnie for so many years and especially when he needed it most.

A visitation and celebration of life service will be held at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Memorial, Friday, 10/4/24 beginning at 9:30am.  Interment will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery.   Remembrances can be made to Compassion Christian Church or Samaritans Purse.

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Donnie was a wonderful neighbor and friend

- Sam Smith, Savannah, GA

Donnie was a wonderful person and friend. He was always happy to help his neighbors' He loved the Lord and his community. He will be sorely missed by many. If there is fishing in heaven I hope Donnie will show me where to cast when I get there.

- Sam Smithj, Savannah , Ga

Donnie was a great friend, mentor, and teacher. He took time from his days to teach me how to drive his beautiful blue truck. He would take me to lunch and had a love for others that was beautiful. Donnie you will be missed. Thank you for being a friend.

- Shelby Todd, Dallas, TX

Bobby, Sharon and family, the obituary was such a great tribute to Donnie’s life. As our families grew up together living only two doors over, we share so many wonderful memories of the river and Burnside / Rio Vista Island . The river life was all we knew and still do to this day. I have such fond memories of all the things mentioned in the tribute that was made. As was mentioned, Donnie loved the Lord and his church. In recent years we shared many stories of the past and his love of reading his Bible. Donnie will be sorely missed but right now he is with Jesus and waiting for Christian friends and family to join him. I can hardly wait.

- Linda Blue, Savannah, GA

My deepest sympathy to Sharon, Bobby, and family . I loved visiting y'all at the River when we were in high school. Prayers to you all.

- DG Smith , Midway , Ga.

Darnell, Donnie, was my very first boyfriend in the 1st grade at Hesse. Safe home my friend. Mather

- Martha Peltier Swindelle, Savannah, GA

Bobby, Sharon, and family, what a wonderful tribute to our Donnie. I can tell you the Boaen Family shares your grief. Donnie became a family member of the Boaen’s when he was 15. He was another brother to me, a brother to my brother Shawn and another son to our parents Everette & Linda. We had so many wonderful times together, many trips to Ossabaw whether it was fishing or spending time with Ms.West. Our last trip together was at the Emmy’s. We were all so proud of Donnie. Donnie was there for us when our Mother passed in 2016. I could go on and on about the wonderful things about Donnie!! He was such a shining star and will forever be missed. Love to you all, The Boaen Family.

- Sally Boaen, Savannah, Ga

Written by daughter Shelby Todd. This is what Donnie meant to me. Last night, I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Mr. Donnie’s passing. He was a man with a contagious smile, the best parking lot greeter at Compassion Christian East Campus, an avid fisher, the best dog dad, and the owner of the coolest truck I’d ever seen. Mr. Donnie and I sparked a friendship in 2019 shortly after I returned to the church. He drove this beautiful blue truck and I had been fascinated with it for years. He offered to let me ride in it, but that turned into him teaching me how to drive a 3 on a tree truck. We spent the afternoon driving around and going to Chick-Fil-A. When I graduated in 2020 with a surprise parade, he, little Mickey and his blue truck were there to support me in this hard time. He always showed up when there were struggles in people he loved. The last time I saw him, he came by the house to encourage me a few days before I moved to Texas to pursue my seminary degree. His words were “go be a light and change the world.” Mr. Donnie was a gift of a friend here on this earth, and I am excited to be in eternity with him again one day. Though we grieve on this side of heaven, we have hope for a new day coming.

- Michelle Tods, Savannah , Ga

To a most exceptional distant cousin who “Lived Life Large”. A man full of energy and determination in everything he held dear. His Family, his Friends - A Boy and His Dog. The fish no longer live in fear of his approach, the sound of his motor, the sight of his lure. The sea was in his blood, much like the family history before him. His pain is gone and it’s time for heaven to open its arms and welcome its follower home forever.

- Charles (Chuck) McCallar, Pooler, Ga

Donnie and I made lots of good memories together! We mostly lied to each other about how many or where we caught fish! We had the privilege to help build his first home together! Lots of trips and laughs were shared throughout our times together! Donnie was example of what the Christian walk is all about! Until we fish again at heaven’s Shore ! Rock

- Rock Reed, Sav, GA

So sorry to hear about Donnie. I loved visiting y'all at the river back when we were in high-school. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you all.

- Dell G Smith, Midway, GA

Gone too soon! We will miss you “Paper”!

- Julian & Judie Boaen, Savannah, Georgia

Donny, along with his brother and sister spent many days in my home on Burnside Island. They were like younger sister and brothers to me. I can still hearing Donnie calling me on his CB radio as a teenager just to check in from some part of the local rivers close to our home. He had a dynamic personality and kept us all laughing. I know he will be missed. May he be with God and family and rest in peace.

- Linda Stafford Mahaffy, Tucson, AZ

Donnie, you are loved, you were and are prayed for. My last interaction with you was when you cut sheet metal for me to use to close cat door when necessary. So sorry you left us so soon. I pray for peace for you and your loved ones. I thoroughly enjoyed Fishing with Dixie.

- Carol Keelie Reed, Savannah, GA

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200


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