Celebration of Life: Donald Walter Waldowski, Jr., December 18, 1953 – September 21, 2024

Provided.

Donald Walter Waldowski, Jr.

Donald Walter Waldowski, Jr. was born Dec. 18, 1953 in Webster, South Dakota. His mother soon gave him the nickname Toby.

Toby gave his life to Jesus on his knees in the basement of his home after hearing Billy Graham's message and call. He received his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University (SDSU) in 1976. While attending SDSU, Toby fell in love with Barbara Shelsta and they were married their junior year on Aug. 9, 1975.

After graduating together, they moved to Orange County, California to begin their ministry of music through Waldowski Concert Ministries. Singing the love of Jesus until the very end, Toby and Barb gave 4,500 concerts nationwide and sang for 145 tapings on the Hour of Power television ministry. Toby wrote 100 songs copyrighted in the Library of Congress, wrote all orchestral arrangements, conducted and recorded eight albums, five songbooks and wrote the full score for "Love Comes Softly."

The highlights of his life were Jesse and Olivia. He loved his children and was a fabulous father, taking them to Disneyland, symphonies, the farm, the beach, golfing, playing baseball and feeding horses. He never missed their school activities and spent his days giving them piano lessons and leading them to Jesus. Every morning, Toby did devotions with them, memorizing about 40 scriptures, the 10 commandments and praying with them and for them diligently.

From the moment they were born, Toby prayed for their future spouses, seeing his prayers come to life when Jesse married Tiffany, and Olivia married Johnny. This answer to prayer brought even greater joys with the birth and lives of Jesse's sons Ben and Luke, and Olivia's children Jake, Owen and Julianne. Becoming PA to these five GRANDchildren (as he often referred to them) and seeing all four boys baptized and acknowledging Jesus as their Savior was top of his list.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lenny Waldowski, and his sister Jane Stavely. His brother and fishing buddy, David Waldowski, resides in Laguna Woods, California. His sister, Becky Waldowski, lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Toby was a prolific lyricist and wrote these fitting words, "One day I know that He'll call me to a home that's beyond my dreams, and I know there will be some confusion, but it's Jesus I'll finally see." ("I'm A Believer"). Toby was welcomed home into Jesus' loving arms on Sept. 21, 2024.

Wood Family Funeral Service is entrusted with his care. For condolences please see http://www.woodmortuary.net/.