03/04/2026
Max Eldon Donaldson
Max Eldon Donaldson
Entertainer
1935-2026
Max Donaldson passed peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of February 15th, 2026, at the age of 90. He was with family, loved ones, and the music of Vivaldi when Max’s spirit was gently released.
Max was born in Eureka, Kansas on Christmas Eve in 1935. His father Eldon owned a dry cleaning and laundry business, and his mother Vivian was a devoted mom and homemaker. A few years later, Max’s sister Kristi was born, and they would remain best friends and ardent supporters of each other for the rest of their lives.
Growing up in a small town established the root system of morals, ethos, and compassion that Max carried with him until his last moments of Earth. Early on, Max displayed a penchant for music and entertainment which was the vehicle that drove him for all of his days. As a child, Max was constantly banging on pots, pans, appliances, and walls until his parents relented and bought him his first drum set in 1943. Max practiced non-stop, jumping into his passion with an unrelenting drive. Max formed his own bands during Junior High School throughout his Senior year in High School and played anywhere he could “get a gig.” The small town of Eureka could not contain Max’s desire and curiosity to learn more, see more, and be more, so in 1953 at the age of seventeen, Max enlisted in the United States Navy. Max enrolled in the music program, served the first 10 months as a Seaman, then finished his enlistment as a musician, playing for dignitaries, attaches, and shows all over the world. During his time in the Navy, Max earned three service medals, including one for Defense in the European Theater. He finished his enlistment at the Navy School of Music in 1956, where he continued improving his already impressive drumming talents.
Upon his release from the Navy, Max moved to Southern California in the late1950’s. This was a golden era for music, culture, and entertainment in California, and Max eagerly latched on to the music scene, including Jazz Clubs, Dinner Theaters, Jam Sessions, and all tryouts that were available. Already an accomplished drummer, Max utilized his rapier quick wit to hone his skills to become a complete performer. Making people laugh and feel at ease was second nature to Max, so he dove into writing comedy and arranging musical scores to reflect his strengths and talent. Although drummers were usually seen and not heard at that time, Max was the leader of all of his bands, incorporating well-rehearsed musical chops, comedy, and skits to round out his burgeoning act.
In 1960, Max met Elizabeth Ann (“Dani”) Wulfert (in a record shop, of course), and after a year-long courtship, they were married on May 20th, 1961. In 1962, they welcomed their first child, daughter Chanda Liane into the world. Max continued with day jobs to support his new family and landed what he considered a dream job in 1963, writing comedy for one of his idols, Soupy Sales, for the Soupy Sales Show. Max did this for 2 years, while still playing music at night, including stints with the Corpus Christi and Dallas Symphony Orchestras, the Lawrence Welk Show, and a few gigs with another aspiring musician (and unheard of at that time), Frank Zappa. In 1964, Max formed his fully realized band, “The Shenanigans”. The Shenanigans were known for their musical diversity (all members had to play at least three different instruments), their musical proficiency (they were known to practice for 2 hours immediately after the shows they performed), and Comedy. The interplay between the band members and the audience was legendary. The Shenanigans played all throughout Southern California, Las Vegas, and the lower Southwest states for almost 7 years. Performing for others was Max’s life, no matter the venue.
In 1966, Max and Dani had their second child, their son Shannon, while they were living in Upland, California. In 1971, with the breakup of the Shenanigans, Max moved into real estate, and very quickly became an accomplished loan officer with a large California Mortgage Lender. In 1972, Max and his family were transferred to the small, sleepy town of Denver, Colorado. Max moved up the corporate ladder rapidly, mostly due to his people skills and the trust he immediately created with anyone that he met. Focusing on business but using all of the talents he had nurtured to that point, Max was extremely successful and in 1980 was transferred to head up the Las Vegas Division of Shearson/Lehman Brothers. Max spent 3+ years in Las Vegas thriving, until the high interest rates all but shuttered the markets he was in. Max returned to Denver in 1984.
From 1984 on, it did not really matter what Max’s job or job title was, he was always Max. If he could interact, entertain, or just make someone smile or laugh, he knew that he was successful. He continued writing, playing drums, working with drum and bugle corps, photography, painting and traveling the world in between his work gigs. He enjoyed himself and was highly successful at telemarketing, as he could talk to many people all over the country all day long. Although he made a great living doing this, he measured his real success in connecting with people versus the financial remuneration he received. From 1984-2000, Max was a telemarketer for several companies, Suite Attendant for the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos, and both a professional and personal caterer. He was an entertainer in everything he did, and always had a receptive audience in any setting he was in. He did not believe in downtime and was always incredibly busy.
In 2001, Max’s curiosity and knowledge gave birth to yet another unseen opportunity, Grave Rubbing! While visiting a pauper’s cemetery in Independence, Missouri, to view the headstone on one of his musical idols, Max noticed that the gravestone of Charlie Parker had a tenor saxophone engraved on it, not the Alto Saxophone that Charlie Parker was known for. Both excited and irritated by this gaffe, Max wished to record this sight with a photo. Luckily for Max, his camera was out of film and the only thing he had to commemorate the moment was a large piece of paper and a black crayon. Max taped the paper to the gravestone and rubbed the crayon over it, producing a perfect image of the gravestone and turned another curious moment into a profitable passion for many years to come. Max then began traveling the United States again, stopping in every cemetery he would come across, focusing on civil war heroes and villains, cowboys and Native Americans, and celebrities from all over the U.S.. Within 3 years, Max had acquired what is considered the largest grave rubbing collection in the United States, (over 180). With these in hand, Max began booking speaking engagements all throughout the country, lugging grave rubbings to Schools, social and Business Clubs and retirement homes, under the name (and Book he wrote) “Stories under the Stones.” He streamlined the performance with digitized images and gave hundreds of lectures to thousands of people a year from 2003 through 2016. This fulfilled so many of Max’s interests; history, travel, and most importantly, a new way to connect with people. His lectures were praised by all that attended for their humor and behind the scenes look at many noted figures lives, and this amazing 15-year career was founded just by knowing what kind of saxophone that Charlie Parker played. This was quintessential Max, in all of his glory.
In 2017 Max began an 8-year run with Costco as a product demonstrator. He loved the chance to entertain still, and Max was able to interact with hundreds of people a day, constantly making them smile and laugh every chance he had. Max finally stopped his working career in 2025, and was able to enjoy his final days reading, writing, eating enchiladas and having margaritas at his local hangout, El Tejado. He also took drives around the state, trying new Mexican Restaurants, seeing new sights, and interacting with new people all along the way. All of them were left smiling. This was Max.
Max Eldon Donaldson was more than just unique, different, or one of a kind. He was, above all else, Max. He helped nurture many musicians all over the country and especially in the Denver Jazz scene. The numerous parties at his and the love of his life (Linda Roggensack’s) “Trocadero Ballroom” always featured great food, drinks, and amazing live music. They were not to be missed and never forgotten by those who attended. Max had a natural curiosity and a child-like wonder of all things. Max was perpetually optimistic and positive, and it showed in everything he did and every person he encountered. If Max made you smile, laugh, or just think about things in an unusual way, you were a friend for life, no matter what. Max had many loves and interests…Music, history, travel, writing, painting, photography and comedy to name a few. But these were just passports to Max’s ultimate destination – you. If you knew Max, he loved you most of all, and you would never forget it!
Max is survived by his sister Kristi, his daughter Chanda, his son Shannon, his five grandchildren and his 5 great grandchildren.
Remembrances for Max can be made to Cameron Church (www.Cameronchurch.org) or KUVO Jazz (www.kuvo.org)
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