Bryan (Donovan Ray Gatus) Monday, '53
Bryan (Donovan Ray Gatus) Monday, '53, passed away on September 4, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Reverend Bryan Monday was born Donovan Ray Gatus on July 10, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Dorothy Gatus and Ashton Devilla. He was raised by his foster mother, Mrs. Cicero Johnson, and attended Boys Town in Omaha. After graduating from high school, Donovan joined the United States Air Force.
In 1956, Donovan met the petite and beautiful Ethel Louise Osborne, whom he married six months later. He remained in the Air Force, and their oldest daughter, Camela Denice, was born in 1958. As an airman, Donovan’s small family traveled often. They eventually moved to Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where their second daughter, Kamara Jeanette, was born in 1959. Upon leaving the Air Force, the family settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, where their family grew with the births of Roni Collette (1960), Donna Marie (1961), and Sophia Loren (1963).
In 1965, the family moved from Indianapolis to Compton, California, where Donovan opened his own janitorial business. Many fond memories were built during those years. Donovan loved hugging and tickling his daughters, giving them allowances, and enjoying family dinners. During mealtime, he would sit on the couch watching television as his girls brought him his plate of food and Kool-Aid. One of their fondest memories was playing board games together—Donovan was a sore loser who became especially upset when he lost at Monopoly! He also proudly bragged about Ethel’s singing, Roni’s tap dancing, and Lorie’s performing skills.
In later years, Donovan fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a disc jockey. In 1972, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he established himself in radio, most notably interviewing the Jackson Five and their father before a concert. In 1973, he returned to California and worked at radio station KJLH in Los Angeles, where he hosted a late-night smooth jazz program. His daughters were incredibly proud of him, with his youngest, Lorie, often imitating his voice and smooth-jazz persona
Later in life, Donovan legally changed his name to Bryan Monday. He eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he met and married his second wife, Virginia, with whom he remained until her passing in 2004. Donovan worked in various roles, including hosting a gospel radio show in Nashville. He remained active and continued working well into his 80s. Donovan had a strong faith in God and instilled in his daughters the importance of regular church attendance. Blessed with good health, he lived to be 90 years old and passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Yolanda Mechelle (1965), who passed away at three months; his only son, Arturo DaNaire, who was born prematurely and passed the day of his birth; his first wife, Ethel Louise Gatus; his second wife, Virginia Monday; his youngest daughter, Sophia Loren Gatus; and two grandsons, Arturo Da’Naire Frazier and Antwain Sherrod Scott.
Cherishing his memory are his daughters Camela McClain (Floyd), Kamara Stewart (Darcy Dean), Roni Gatus, and Donna Thrash (Victor). Donovan was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Hallye Gooden of Kansas City, Missouri, Jewel Mitchell, and Beverly Paden of Denver, Colorado, as well as his biological mother, Dorothy Gatus-Mitchell, who is 104 years old at the time of this obituary’s publication.