Fred and Donna Socha

Donna Jean Socha, 76, passed away peacefully at her home in Lawrence, Kansas. Donna was born on July 14, 1948, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her parents were Elliott Cloaninger and Mary Addie (Plyler) Cloaninger. She grew up in Virginia and graduated high school and got her associate degree in Virginia. Donna was married to Ferdinand Theodore Socha and they were blessed with three sons and one daughter, Dennis, Joe, Scott, and Erin. Donna had a lifelong love of animals, usually having 4-5 dogs at her home. Donna also enjoyed watching movies, playing golf, and traveling. Donna retired from the Country Oaks Veterinary Clinic in The Villages, Florida in 2015. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Elliott and Mary Cloaninger and her husband Ferdinand T. Socha. 

Ferdinand “Fred” Theodore Socha, age 78, formerly of Seymour, TN, passed away on November 16, 2020. Fred was born in Brooklyn, NY, on March 30, 1941. He proudly served in the United States Coast Guard. After falling in love, and marrying his sweetheart, he and Donna ultimately settled in Richmond, VA, he worked in sales, eventually owning his own business. Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Madeleine Socha.

Fred and Donna were married just shy of 50 years. They met in Richmond, VA at the swimming pool and the rest is history. As a young family, they enjoyed summer weekends on the Chesapeake Bay boating and fishing, and in the winter, they loved to snow ski. Once their family grew and Fred and Donna retired, they moved to Florida where they played golf, cruised the Caribbean with friends, and traveled, fueled by their love of great cuisine. They were the original Foodies, long before being a Foodie was cool.

Fred and Donna are survived by her children Dennis (Cameo) Socha, Lindale, Texas; Joseph “Joe” (Tracy) Socha, Seymour, Tennessee; William “Scott” (Mary Lou) Socha, Asheville, North Carolina; Erin Socha, and her wife Maggie Wagner, Lawrence, Kansas. She was blessed with ten grandchildren and five step-grandchildren: John, William, Ian, Nathan, Bailey, Maddie, Ryan, Patrick, Justin, and Adam; Amanda.

The family and friends of Fred and Donna will honor their lives and many adventures on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Memorial Service to follow, at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel. (2829 Rennoc Road, Knoxville, TN 37918)

The staff at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel, is honored to serve the family and friends of Fred and Donna Socha.