Donald Albert Colbert, Sr.

DONALD ALBERT COLBERT, SR. was born on January 14, 1936, to the late Charles Colbert and Annie Mays Colbert in Baltimore, Maryland, as the youngest of nine siblings. He departed this life on October 6, 2025. Donald was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1955. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served honorably and earned a respected certificate as an Underwater Swimmer at the Fleet Sonar School in Key West, Florida. He served as a Seaman from 1955 to 1959. Donald met and married the late Avis Joan Bennett, and from that union was born a son, Donald Albert Colbert Jr. Later, he married again, and from that union with the late Sarah Mae Brown (Colbert), two sons were born: Derik Colbert and Gary Colbert. After his time in the Navy, Donald attended Church Hospital Nursing School in Baltimore along with his wife, Sarah, and while he did not complete the course, he gained a wealth of medical knowledge that he used for the rest of his life. After a short time, he began working for the U.S. Postal Service and also delivered newspapers and drove a taxicab at night. Donald worked very hard to provide for his family. Eventually he put his sole focus on his post office employment. He began as a Mail Handler and worked his way up to Mail Carrier, Supervisor and finally Acting Manager. After retirement from the Postal Service, he began working as a security guard at Caves Valley Golf Club, where he met and befriended several famous people, such as Brooks Robinson and President Bush Sr. He enjoyed that job because of its many perks but moved on after a few years. Next, he became a security guard at Laurel Racetrack, where he impressed his employer and was quickly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Everyone who worked with him appreciated his work ethic. He was always at work early and willing to stay late. Indeed, his promptness was familiar to all who knew him. Donald was a big sports fan. He enjoyed football and attended many Baltimore Colts games and later watched the Ravens faithfully. But his real love was the Baltimore Orioles. He watched every game every day, right up until his passing. Donald was an athlete in his own right as an accomplished high school swimmer and player of fast-pitch softball in the Postal Softball League. With his help as second baseman, they won the League Championship against the Washington, D.C. Post Office in 1967. He continued playing softball all the way into his forties. His other love was horse racing. Everyone who knew Donald was aware of his love of betting the ponies. He loved to spend time at Pimlico, Laurel, and Delaware Park racetracks, where he met several new friends. While working at Laurel as a security guard, he had the honor of meeting some of his favorite jockeys and trainers. Donald was a very active and independent person for 88 years and was very proud to live his life on his own terms. He was called home in his 89th year after a long illness. Donald was the final family member of his nine-sibling family. He is survived by four sons, Donald Jr. (Jessielyn), Derik (Debbie), Gary (DeVera), and Terrence Bradley (Nicole); eight grandchildren, Destannie, Demetria, Daniyal, Donald 3rd, Michael, Brian, Kayla and Terrence Jr.; sister-in-law, Willa Pulley; brother-in-law, Larry Tisdale; former daughter-in-law, Cecelia Pearson; and a host of nieces, nephews, great -grandchildren, and friends

Tributes

Donald Albert Colbert, Sr.

January 14, 1936 - October 6, 2025