Donald Carl Berghman Sr.

It is with broken hearts and deeply saddened spirits that the family of Donald Carl Berghman Sr of Carriere, MS announces his passing. Surrounded by his family on July 31, 2024, he suddenly lost his courageous battle with lymphoma.

Donnie was the third of six children born to John William Berghman, Sr. and Virgie Gartoucies Berghman of Venice La. Welcoming him into heaven were his parents, Johnny and Virgie, his brother John Berghman, Jr., his brother Daryl Berghman (Mona), and his sister Judi (Mel) Verdin. He is survived by his brother, Danny Berghman (Danna) of Nairn, La and his brother, Joey Berghman (Joetta) of Summit Ms. and many nieces and nephews. Donnie grew up in Venice, La where he met and married his lifelong love, Patsy Dianne Moore Berghman. They spent 56 years making each other's lives full of love. They resided in Venice and Buras, La until 1991. There they had and began raising their five beautiful children. His family was his most treasured gift from God. He called them strong, hardworking (sometimes hardheaded) and dependable. In 1992 he moved his family to Carriere, Ms. There he loved the beauty and peacefulness of his property. He believed that he was only a caretaker of his place for his time on earth and it became the only place he really wanted to be.

Left to live by his example and to carry on his many learned skills and talents are Donald Carl Berghman, Jr. (Nathalie Devore) and his children Annie (Chad) Margetta and Micah, Derron William Berghman (Ashley) and their daughters Kaitlyn, Danae (Jacob) Gramly, Angel, Cheyenne and Becca, Destiny Rachelle (Jack) Valence and their daughter, Lainey, Dawn Marie (Nathan) Burks and their sons Austin (Rachel) and Noah (Anna), Dustin Michael Berghman (Lindsey) and their children Gabriel, Gracie, Adleigh and Amrie. The fourth generation of great grandchildren include Adeline (3), Alivia (2), Adam (6 mos.), Harvey (3 Mos) and Travis (1 mo.). They will sadly miss seeing the smile they brought to his face, the twinkle they put in his eyes and the fun and mischief he would have surely shown them as they grow up.

Donnie had an unwavering work ethic, which he instilled in all five of his children. He began working as a young teenager at Hartts Esso gas station changing tires, washing cars, and sneaking them out for a drag race occasionally. He later worked for Venice IGA Foodliner as a stock boy, where he took great pride in making perfectly stacked rows of cans. He was a bit of a perfectionist even at 15. At age 18 he began his adult career in the oilfield as a hotshot driver for Patterson Rental Tools and soon became a valued employee of Getty Oil Company, Texaco Oil company, Greenhill Petroleum and lastly M & J Valves. After working for 46 years to provide all he could possibly give to his family, he retired at the age of 64. For the last 10 years of his life, he enjoyed fixing anything anyone brought to his workshop. He spent almost every waking hour in his workshop or on his lawn tractor manicuring his 10 acres. Donnie held many titles in his life, son, brother, husband, Dad, Grampa, and friend. He loved spending time teaching his adult children and grandchildren how to build things, repair, rebuild and take care of their tools, automobiles, and homes. He also proudly loved dragging home old junk power wheels, go carts, 4 wheelers for his grandchildren and turning them into beautiful, "souped up" fun! He was a sharpshooter with a gun and a pool shark in his youth. He loved dancing and listening to music and singing his favorites with a microphone, but he knew he "had to keep his day job" as he put it.

Donnie was truly one of a kind. He was a great example of what a man should be the kind someone could look to for courage, advice and guidance. He was honest, smart, witty, tough, and determined to succeed. Even in his sickness he was determined to the very end that he would endure whatever came his way to finish his chemo treatments.

The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors and staff at Slidell Memorial Hospital's ICU department for the excellent VIP care and treatment he received throughout his illness. You all have left a lasting impression on our lives. He said he had the BEST! Thanks also goes to the ER department, cardiology units and the cancer center at Slidell Memorial and Highland Primary Care and Highland Community Hospital staff for their part in his care.

A "Celebration of a Life Well Lived" will begin with a service on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Pinetucky Baptist Church in Henleyfield, MS. Burial of his ashes will follow at his home at 34 Jarrell Rd, Carriere, Ms. The family invites anyone who knew and loved him to join us for his favorite foods, his favorite music, at his favorite place on earth.

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