Donald E. Crouch March 8, 1924 - April 10, 2014

Donald E. Crouch, of Portland, and later Tucson, AZ, passed away quietly, surrounded by family, on April 10. He was 90.

On a cold February morning in 1924, Dr. Junius Elmer Crouch left Chicago in the family automobile destined for Portland, in order to bring home his son Merrill and daughter-in-law Estelle. Their first child was due in early March, and the good doctor wanted to bring them home before the birth so he could assist the attending physician. The young family arrived in Portland and had a week to set up housekeeping before Donald Elmer Crouch was born on March 8, 1924. The family remained in Portland, where young Don attended Grant High School.

He entered the University of Oregon in 1941, joining Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and R.O.T.C./U.S. Air Force reserve. He was called up in 1942 and entered the Air Force Cadet Corps. He graduated, earning a 2nd Lieutenant commission and served in the European Theater as bombardier in the 485th Bomb Group/Italy. He was awarded two air medals and six battle stars in Italy during his 20 missions. He returned to Portland after the war as an officer in the Air Force Reserve, returning to the University of Oregon, graduating with a BS in business administration.

It was there where he met and married Barbara Ann King in 1949. Their only child, Donald King, was born in 1953. Don and Barbara lived a dream marriage for 65 years.

His successful business career started at Jantzen Knitting Mills as senior salesman for the Southwest U.S. The family returned to Portland from Scottsdale, AZ, in 1962. In the early '70s he joined U.S. Bancorp/Trust Division, rising to Senior Trust Officer. He then went into the commercial side of the bank in sales and retired in 1986 as a senior vice president.

Don was a big believer in giving back to his community. He was a member of the sheriffs' posse in Scottsdale. In Portland he was a member of the Rose Festival Association Board of Directors, serving as Director of the Fun Center for several years, Director of the 1980 Court, completing his service as RFA President in 1982. He was also a member of the Estate Planning Council/Portland Chapter, also serving as president.

After his retirement, Don and Barb moved to Black Butte Ranch, where he was a member of the board of directors. He and Barb stayed active in those years hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

After a move to Tucson in 1994, Don served in the Department of Public Service of the Arizona Highway Patrol for several years, and then became a member of the Pima County Sheriff's Auxiliary, and was president of the board of directors when he retired in 2006.

Don's passions, besides family, friends and community, included fly-fishing and golf.

He is survived by Barbara of Tucson; his son Don and daughter-in-law Charlotte, of Redmond; and his grandson Logan, of Dallas, TX.

He will be interred at a later date at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista.

The family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.