Birth date: Nov 7, 1935 Death date: Jul 26, 2023
Donald Louis Jeanroy was born in New York and died at his home in Oregon on July 26, 2023. He is survived by four children, three grandchildren and two nieces. Don lived his life to the absolute fullest! His greatest passions were Read Obituary
I know it’s been a couple of years since his passing, but the memory of him and how he intertwined in our lives of Pat and Sheila Nadeau. I know he’s resting at peace. He is at the helm, guiding God‘s whereabouts yes he was a true leader inspired by gentleness, kindness, and forgiveness. You will be missed, but the memories go with me and Pat and are deep in our hearts farewell our dear friend until we meet again on the other side
So many experiences grow from being a volunteer; the people you meet, the stories we collect and the friends we make.
We met Don and Chan when they knocked on the door of our RV when we were all serving as volunteers at Cape Disappointment State Park doing lighthouse duty. I think it was probably Don who decided that we would be friends. Our friendship grew when they moved from Idaho to Oregon and in particular to Columbia County, something that may have been influenced by their visit to us.
Our get-togethers have been so enjoyable, discussing anything and everything, often with travel updates being front and center. Our breakfasts and lunches were all about the good conversation, never about the food. That's why they always lasted for hours !
Don always appeared to have an interest in people and a readiness for conversation. His friendship has been appreciated, as was his tonque in cheek sense of humor. We will miss him, but at the same time we'll hold on to the memories of this nice gentle man.
Christine and Mike Greener
It was with great sadness that I learned of Don's passing. He was a wonderful friend and leader in my school in Saudi Arabia back in the mid-80's. We both got interested in the possibility of flying ultralights back then and took a ground school together on the Taif Northrup compound. Then in the summer of 1986, Don invited me to come out to Heber City, Utah to take some flying lessons in a motor-less glider for a week which eventually led me into becoming an ultralight pilot in the Philippines. While I don't think Don ever got his pilot's license, he was always interested in my flying experiences and wanted to know how it was going.
I loved Don's sense of humour...he could be a real kidder. I remember that while in Heber City we went for supper at a little restaurant and shortly after we got there a couple with two young kids sat down at the next table. Don being more outgoing than I, said 'Hi, how are you?' The response was fine and it was followed with asking what we doing there in Heber City. Now note that we both had scruffy beards, we're wearing shorts, and drinking beers, when Don answered, 'We are summer school students at BYU and just taking a break.' The stunned look and dropped eyes of the parents was hilarious as those who know Don's faith did not prevent him from being funny and shocking to some.
Don also shared a philosophy in life saying, 'Sometimes it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission'. He was always braver at doing it then I could ever be. However, I had to stop flying due to a medical issue a few months back but I just had to go pilot an ultralight one last time for a memorial flight to honour, bless, and wish Don blue skies and gentle tail winds ahead.
My most sincere condolences to Chan, Cathy, Tom, Di, David and all of Don's friends from over the decades. Don is going to be greatly missed but never forgotten. RIP my friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Don and Chan working at PDX. It was a treat to hear them share their travel stories and Don's time he spent working overseas. They are good friends and I have great memories and cherish the wooden toy he gave me. Few people make such a positive impact like Don has...he is missed terribly.
Don, was a mentor and inspiration to my life and my teaching career! He became a part of our little Concrete community challenging us to be the best we could be! It was his leadership and respect for educating all children that took us into the new century, like from typewriters to computers! Such a challenge! I am blessed that he touched my life and I honored to have walked the talk with Don! I can hear his hearty laugh and it fills me with happy !
Bob's and my years with Don and Chan were far too few, but immensely treasured. Every visit was a joy. We contemplated moving to Oregon to be near them, but it was not to be. One of my greatest delights or memory was standing with Don and being mesmerized by the fascinating sea-going traffic on the Columbia River which was almost outside their front door.
