Donga De Abeokuta

Donga De Abeokuta was born Rodney Eugene Alexander to Frank and Alameda Alexander nee Cherry (aka Almeda Person), October 2, 1949 in Newark, New Jersey. He passed July 3, 2026 in Salem, Oregon.

Donga held a PhD in world religions from Covenant College in Chattanooga, Tennessee that he attained in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also set many basketball records for Covenant College and received an invite to the New York Knicks training camp around the same time. Donga was a dedicated servant of Christ Jesus, and attended seminary in St. Louis, Missouri to become an ordained pastor. He served as a chaplain with the United Stated Navy and was head chaplain at the Oregon State Penitentiary from 1987-1992. In his later years Donga served his Salem, Oregon community as volunteer with the State of Oregon, volunteering for SafeRide as a driver. He loved camping and campfires, as it was one of his main passions. He loved reading and attaining “Wisdom,” and had his own personal library of thousands of books at home. He loved to laugh and have a good time with friends and family. He is dearly loved and will be missed. A private burial will be held for his immediate family. His final resting place will be at the River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. He is survived by his wife Teri Alexander, brother: Melvin Alexander, Sister: Arlene Alexander, and his children Rodney Alexander, Elliot Alexander, Alison Alexander, Amber Urban, Brittany Urban, and Bo Urban.

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