Donald Wesley Sundeleaf
December 11, 1928 — June 3, 2019
Don Sundeleaf grew up in an era that allowed a child the freedom to roam, and young Don found a refuge along the Willamette River. He and his friends would hop on their bikes and explore the banks, from his Sellwood home to Lake Oswego, where they would fish in Sucker Creek. He often surprised his parents, Dollie and Wesley, with a variety of "catches"; an injured pigeon that had fallen from its nest under the bridge, or a string of catfish to fry up for dinner.
He held a lifelong place in his heart for the water, from the Willamette in Portland, to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands, to the coast and the family cottage in Gearhart. Many a contented day was spent in those favorite spots with a boat, a friend or two, and a fishing pole.
Don graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and Oregon State University in 1951, with a degree in fish and game management. His Coast Guard service brought him to Friday Harbor in Washington, where he met his future wife, Jonna. They settled in Portland and soon welcomed children Kerrie and Sam. The family moved to their Milwaukie home in 1967, where they have enjoyed a huge garden with plenty of space for Don to indulge his other passion, growing award-winning chrysanthemums.
In his professional life, Don continued and grew the business his father had founded in 1930, Sundeleaf Painting. His son, Sam, took over the helm several years ago, but Don was always available with a welcome word of wisdom and advice.
Don and Jonna recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. At 90, Don was active and engaged to the end. He was at peace in his beloved home, his family beside him, as he left this earth for the next territory to explore. Don will be laid to rest at Portland Memorial in Sellwood, high above the banks of the Willamette where his adventures began so long ago.
He leaves behind (for now) his wife, Jonna; daughter, Kerrie Sundeleaf Fewel; son, Sam, and his partner, Aimee Sukol; granddaughter, Natalie Sept; grandson, Christopher Sept, and his wife, Farrah Nguyen; brother- and sister-in-law, Dick and Carolyn Dixon; and numerous nieces and nephews, including the children of his late sister, Betty Sundeleaf Rankin.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church memorial fund, Portland Chrysanthemum Society, or OSU Foundation.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 12 to June 16, 2019]
December 11, 1928 — June 3, 2019
Don Sundeleaf grew up in an era that allowed a child the freedom to roam, and young Don found a refuge along the Willamette River. He and his friends would hop on their bikes and explore the banks, from his Sellwood home to Lake Oswego, where they would fish in Sucker Creek. He often surprised his parents, Dollie and Wesley, with a variety of "catches"; an injured pigeon that had fallen from its nest under the bridge, or a string of catfish to fry up for dinner.
He held a lifelong place in his heart for the water, from the Willamette in Portland, to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands, to the coast and the family cottage in Gearhart. Many a contented day was spent in those favorite spots with a boat, a friend or two, and a fishing pole.
Don graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and Oregon State University in 1951, with a degree in fish and game management. His Coast Guard service brought him to Friday Harbor in Washington, where he met his future wife, Jonna. They settled in Portland and soon welcomed children Kerrie and Sam. The family moved to their Milwaukie home in 1967, where they have enjoyed a huge garden with plenty of space for Don to indulge his other passion, growing award-winning chrysanthemums.
In his professional life, Don continued and grew the business his father had founded in 1930, Sundeleaf Painting. His son, Sam, took over the helm several years ago, but Don was always available with a welcome word of wisdom and advice.
Don and Jonna recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. At 90, Don was active and engaged to the end. He was at peace in his beloved home, his family beside him, as he left this earth for the next territory to explore. Don will be laid to rest at Portland Memorial in Sellwood, high above the banks of the Willamette where his adventures began so long ago.
He leaves behind (for now) his wife, Jonna; daughter, Kerrie Sundeleaf Fewel; son, Sam, and his partner, Aimee Sukol; granddaughter, Natalie Sept; grandson, Christopher Sept, and his wife, Farrah Nguyen; brother- and sister-in-law, Dick and Carolyn Dixon; and numerous nieces and nephews, including the children of his late sister, Betty Sundeleaf Rankin.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church memorial fund, Portland Chrysanthemum Society, or OSU Foundation.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 12 to June 16, 2019]
Donald Wesley Sundeleaf
December 11, 1928 — June 3, 2019
Don Sundeleaf grew up in an era that allowed a child the freedom to roam, and young Don found a refuge along the Willamette River. He and his friends would hop on their bikes and explore the banks, from his Sellwood home to Lake Oswego, where they would fish in Sucker Creek. He often surprised his parents, Dollie and Wesley, with a variety of "catches"; an injured pigeon that had fallen from its nest under the bridge, or a string of catfish to fry up for dinner.
He held a lifelong place in his heart for the water, from the Willamette in Portland, to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands, to the coast and the family cottage in Gearhart. Many a contented day was spent in those favorite spots with a boat, a friend or two, and a fishing pole.
Don graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and Oregon State University in 1951, with a degree in fish and game management. His Coast Guard service brought him to Friday Harbor in Washington, where he met his future wife, Jonna. They settled in Portland and soon welcomed children Kerrie and Sam. The family moved to their Milwaukie home in 1967, where they have enjoyed a huge garden with plenty of space for Don to indulge his other passion, growing award-winning chrysanthemums.
In his professional life, Don continued and grew the business his father had founded in 1930, Sundeleaf Painting. His son, Sam, took over the helm several years ago, but Don was always available with a welcome word of wisdom and advice.
Don and Jonna recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. At 90, Don was active and engaged to the end. He was at peace in his beloved home, his family beside him, as he left this earth for the next territory to explore. Don will be laid to rest at Portland Memorial in Sellwood, high above the banks of the Willamette where his adventures began so long ago.
He leaves behind (for now) his wife, Jonna; daughter, Kerrie Sundeleaf Fewel; son, Sam, and his partner, Aimee Sukol; granddaughter, Natalie Sept; grandson, Christopher Sept, and his wife, Farrah Nguyen; brother- and sister-in-law, Dick and Carolyn Dixon; and numerous nieces and nephews, including the children of his late sister, Betty Sundeleaf Rankin.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church memorial fund, Portland Chrysanthemum Society, or OSU Foundation.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 12 to June 16, 2019]
December 11, 1928 — June 3, 2019
Don Sundeleaf grew up in an era that allowed a child the freedom to roam, and young Don found a refuge along the Willamette River. He and his friends would hop on their bikes and explore the banks, from his Sellwood home to Lake Oswego, where they would fish in Sucker Creek. He often surprised his parents, Dollie and Wesley, with a variety of "catches"; an injured pigeon that had fallen from its nest under the bridge, or a string of catfish to fry up for dinner.
He held a lifelong place in his heart for the water, from the Willamette in Portland, to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands, to the coast and the family cottage in Gearhart. Many a contented day was spent in those favorite spots with a boat, a friend or two, and a fishing pole.
Don graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and Oregon State University in 1951, with a degree in fish and game management. His Coast Guard service brought him to Friday Harbor in Washington, where he met his future wife, Jonna. They settled in Portland and soon welcomed children Kerrie and Sam. The family moved to their Milwaukie home in 1967, where they have enjoyed a huge garden with plenty of space for Don to indulge his other passion, growing award-winning chrysanthemums.
In his professional life, Don continued and grew the business his father had founded in 1930, Sundeleaf Painting. His son, Sam, took over the helm several years ago, but Don was always available with a welcome word of wisdom and advice.
Don and Jonna recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. At 90, Don was active and engaged to the end. He was at peace in his beloved home, his family beside him, as he left this earth for the next territory to explore. Don will be laid to rest at Portland Memorial in Sellwood, high above the banks of the Willamette where his adventures began so long ago.
He leaves behind (for now) his wife, Jonna; daughter, Kerrie Sundeleaf Fewel; son, Sam, and his partner, Aimee Sukol; granddaughter, Natalie Sept; grandson, Christopher Sept, and his wife, Farrah Nguyen; brother- and sister-in-law, Dick and Carolyn Dixon; and numerous nieces and nephews, including the children of his late sister, Betty Sundeleaf Rankin.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church memorial fund, Portland Chrysanthemum Society, or OSU Foundation.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 12 to June 16, 2019]
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