Donavan James Pantke

Donavan Pantke, 43, of Arlington TX, died unexpectedly Friday, September 29, 2023. Donavan is survived by his loving wife, Jocelyn, their three children, Alex, Cameron, and Alandra, brother, Cale (Kristine) and niece, Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his loving parents Barbra and Alvin Pantke.

Donavan was born December 16, 1979 to Barbra and Alvin Pantke, in Columbus, Georgia, relocated to Utah, then settled in Louisville, Ky, where he lived most of his life; until moving to Arlington, TX with his own family in 2019. After graduating high school, he briefly worked for HSA before working for Appriss (1999-2015), then moved to another opportunity with Infor. He worked as the Director of Cloud Tools and Services from 2015 to his death.

Donavan met the love of his life, Jocelyn, in 2002 and they were married on Friday May 13, 2005. Donavan and Jocelyn started their family together in 2007 when their first son, Alex, was born. Their loving family continued to grow when their second son, Cameron was born in 2009, and finally in 2013, their family was complete when their daughter Alandra was born.

Donavan was a man of many hobbies and projects; he enjoyed automotive tinkering, had recently purchased and was restoring a 1991 Pontiac Trans Am; he shared his automotive love with his son Alex. Another passion was model trains; a passion he shared with his son Cameron. He was an enthusiastic member of the local train club, Texas Western Model Railroad Club. He also was an avid music lover, teaching himself to play and passed on that love to his children. His daughter, Alandra, will forever remain Daddy’s Princess.

Donavan was passionate about consuming knowledge. He remains one of the most genuinely intelligent individuals one could meet, with an uncanny ability to understand and apply self-taught knowledge into the world around him.

Donavan truly believed in connections. Without trying, he made everyone feel understood, no matter the conversation. He believed in a world of personal freedoms and communities built by choice. He spent much of his own time working within the Libertarian Party, chairing the county party and state party bylaws committee. He also represented LNC Region 7 to the national committee which encompasses much of the southern and central United States. Putting in the hard work, he believed he and others would make a difference in the world. The outpouring of love and support to his family is a testament to the impact Donavan had in his lifetime.

Donavan’s Celebration of Life will be held at Wade Funeral Home, located at 4140 W Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington, TX 76013. There will be a visitation Thursday, October 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm and his funeral service will take place Friday, October 13 at 2 pm. Following the service will be an informal gathering at Rudy’s BBQ in Arlington on I20. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting donations be made to the GoFundMe raising money to support his wife and children. Click here to donate now.