Earl Leslie Donnan was born in Rigby, Idaho on May 15, 1929 to Ida Mae (Gochnour) and Leslie Donnan. He died in Seattle, Washington June 5, 2018 surrounded by family and a spirit of love. Earl graduated from Rupert High School in 1947 and joined the U.S. Navy. After a hitch as a an electronics technician, he attended the University of Idaho where he was able to put his skills to work as the chief engineer of the fledgling school radio station. It was while at Officer Candidate School in Newport R.I. that he met J. Pearl Duncan and married in 1958.
Together they saw the world and raised three children David (Karien Balluff), Lisa (Marte Anderson), Barbara (Clark deNevers). His service in the Navy took Earl from the Gulf of Alaska to the Gulf of Tonkin, from Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic and around the Mediterranean Sea. Over the years, they made homes in towns and cities from California to New England, from Izmir Turkey to the American South in the turbulent 1960s. Retiring after 24 years in the Navy, Earl's work, for Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, gave him the wonderful opportunity which he cherished to return to the West, living in Salt Lake City and Denver. He enjoyed traveling up and down the Rockies and Intermountain West inspecting boilers and machinery in public buildings, churches and businesses where he met the people from all walks of life. He also went back and completed his bachelor's degree at Regis College in 1982. Certainly, he was most proud of his six grandchildren Alex, Caley, Hannah, Charlotte, Christine, and Nicholas and two step grandchildren Ryan and Kristina.
Conservative and compassionate. Gregarious and gruff. Stubborn and supportive. Earl was dedicated to his church, wherever that might be. He faithfully paid his tithe and gave his talents to projects large and small. He served loyally as deacon, elder, trustee or simple friend in each church community. He enjoyed classical and popular music and sports of almost any kind, puzzles and card games, and simply spending time with family and friends. He was a voracious reader, at times consuming volumes of from pulp fiction and world history. He and Pearl were particularly blessed to be able to enjoy traveling to Asia, Africa and Europe after his second retirement. Earl was grateful for the blessings he enjoyed throughout his life. His humor and smile will be missed by the many friends and family with whom he lived, worked and worshiped over his 89 years.
A memorial Service was held at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church ‚ UCC ‚ Shoreline Washington - on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery ‚ Salt Lake City, Utah - June 23, 2018 at noon, with a visitation from 11-12 at the mortuary prior.
