Donald Christopher Seidnitzer, 85, made the journey to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 9, 2018. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; his six children, Yolanda (Greg), Dorothy (Richard), Donald, Yvonne (John), Dean, and Daniel (Chandra); his thirteen grandchildren, Darlene (Kevin), April (Chris), Brandy (Anthony), Gregory, Aaron, Kevin, Kristen, Bethany, Brent, Brittany, Logan, Christopher, and Dane; and nine great-grandchildren, Brianna, Kylee, Ryan, Lacey, Mason, Trinity, Anthony Jr, Declan, and Obadiah.

He was born at Fort Monroe on November 28, 1933 to Frank and Delia Seidnitzer; Donald was number two of what would eventually become 18 children. He was a lifelong Hampton resident who was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1954 where he served three years. Upon his return to Hampton, he met the love of his life Dorothy Hayslett. They were married in July of 1957 and together they raised a family of six wonderful children.

Donald was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Buckroe. He raised his children the same way, and they never missed church, even if there was a snow storm. He would gather all of them around his bed every night to kneel and pray together. He laid the foundation and showed them the path to the Lord. He taught them to be faithful believers and to seek and trust God's guidance in good times and in bad.

Family was the most important part of his life. He instilled love, respect, loyalty, and dedication into their lives and his children looked up to him with great admiration. He especially enjoyed sitting around talking and laughing about old times, driving around with his kids in the back of a pick-up truck, and the yearly camping trips in October where he and his family always took first prize in decorating their campsite for Halloween. Donald was also known for his sense of humor and for the jokes he told; if you ever met him, then you are guaranteed that he would have told you a joke. Even in the hospital, the nurses would go by his room for their daily laugh. His kids heard his punch lines thousands of times and they would still smile and laugh.

Donald was a selfless man, always putting everyone ahead of himself. His number one priority for 61 years was his wife, and his family. Even near his last days, he was purchasing groceries for those less fortunate at Thanksgiving.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors on the 4th floor at the Hampton Sentara Careplex for the loving care they gave to their father and to his family. Their dedication to his well-being and comfort will never be forgotten.  The family also extends their gratitude to friends and family for the outpouring of love, prayers and support that they received for Donald.

The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on Friday, December 14, 2018 from 6-8PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12PM. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations to Dad's favorite charity, St. Judes.