Charles “CP” Donly made the most of every opportunity from his first day on earth, July 30th 1925 until the day he departed, June 21, 2025.  Growing up outside New York City in Ridgedale Park, NJ, and as the child of an Irish policeman and a French immigrant who sailed to this country in 1915, CP Donly boxed during the depression to earn money for his family and was a Golden Gloves champion.  He was also gifted in math and other studies but skipped the opportunity to go to college to enter WWII as a communications officer.  He earned the Merchant Marine Combat Ribbon, Atlantic War Zone Medal,Pacific War Zone Medal, Mediterranean- Middle East War Zone Medal and the D-day Medal from the French government.

He entered the Korean conflict and was again a combat veteran as a forward deployed battle specialist with the X-Corp forward, 330th Comm Recon Company assigned to two South Korean officers.  Upon honorable discharge from the Army, he was rsecruited for work at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Washington D. C. where he completed his service to the country from 1952 to 1962.

He settled down in Washington D.C. and made the smartest decision of his life by marrying the Aquatennial pageant queen, Diane Carlisle, who was an accomplished musician that attended the College of St. Catherine’s.  Together, they survived and reinvented themselves many times in the business world and were national leaders in sales and marketing for their industry.  CP Donly even worked and consulted with many former employees until his 85th birthday.  They gave their son, Charles Donly, every opportunity they could and always respected his own career desires which led him to the Navy and a career in the global electronics industry.

After living in Washington D.C., Des Moines, IA, Houston, Tx and Minneapolis, MN, he lives his final 4 years in his favorite state, Texas.  He loved the welcoming atmosphere, strong veteran support and warm business climate.  During his last 7 years, Diane served as his caretaker everyday and evening tirelessly and with true Agape love.  As a result, CP grew stronger in faith, deeper in respect for his family, and passed in Grace knowing the true long-term happiness of God’s love and free of any anxiety.

He was a voracious reader, and freely quoted Lewis Carroll, Proust, Flaubert, and Hemmingway and passed on much wisdom like:

 Today is the only day you can make a difference.

Always listen to others but do what you know is right.

Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage with a positive mental attitude.

  Never, never, never give up.

  Be kind and respectful to those unrecognized or with less.

He succeeded his mother, Henriette Genest, father, Charles Ellis, sister, Jeanne Solch, and brother George (Buddy).

He is survived by his sister, Therese Koch, former wife, Diane Donly, son Charles Edward and spouse Caryn.

There will be a visitation and Catholic Mass on July 30th where we will also celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday at St. Stephen Church, Salado, Tx (3-4 p.m., Visitation, 4 p.m., Rosary, and 5 p.m. Mass).

Any donations in his name can be made to the Nimitz museum (National Museum of the Pacific War).

Services are in the care of Broecker Funeral Home, Salado, Tx.