Donald H. Redmon Sr., 1933-2021
Donald H. Redmon Sr. of Panama City, Fla., an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel among the American Affinity Peoples in Costa Rica, died Jan. 8, 2021. He was 87.
Redmon was born in Panama City (Millville), Dec. 2, 1933, to the late C. Haywood and Alma Redmon. He was a graduate of Bay High School, Panama City, and received Bachelor of Arts from Mississippi College, Clinton, and the Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Earlier, while attending Clarke Memorial Junior College (since merged with Mississippi College) in Newton, Mississippi, Redmon met Jo Eubanks and they were married July 8, 1956.
During his last months in seminary, Redmon became pastor of Hardy (Mississippi) Baptist Church. He later wrote when seeking missionary appointment, that many influences in seminary led him and Jo toward foreign missions. They enjoyed serving in Hardy Baptist, he wrote, “But after a few months the burden of foreign missions became so heavy that my wife and I could not but volunteer our lives to this cause.”
The Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) appointed the Redmons missionaries in 1963 and they served in Costa Rica, until retiring in 1998. Redmon worked primarily in evangelism and as treasurer and business manager for the mission organization in Panama.
Redmon served as the first Hispanic Pastor of the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Panama City (First Baptist Church of Panama City). He also worked with Immanuel Baptist Church in various volunteer capacities and was recognized by the church for his faithfulness in service as a foreign missionary. According to his family, he was a faithful supporter of Hispanic work in Bay County, Florida.
Redmon was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Jo Nell Redmon. He is survived by his children, Donald Hugh Redmon Jr. (Betsy) of Panama City, Larry Redmon (Laural) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Donna Jo Houston (Donnie) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lynda S. Claspy (John) of Panama City.
A private graveside service and burial was held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Panama City.
Read an obituary here.