Obituary of Donald Lee Crutchfield

Donald Lee Crutchfield, 84, of Vernon Hills, IL, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 22, 1940, in Center, TX, Don lived a life marked by service, family, and a proud connection to his Native American heritage.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, J Warren (JW) and Edna Holloway Crutchfield; sister, MaRene VanValkenburgh; daughter, Tawnya Strong; and granddaughter, Cheyenne Strong.

Don is survived by his devoted wife, Marcia Crutchfield (née Rowland); son, Jeff (Emily); and cherished granddaughters, Charlotte and Norah, all of Vernon Hills, IL. He is also survived by his niece, Angi Smart of San Diego, CA.

He was a proud Elder Member of the Osage Nation, tracing his lineage back to Aggie Gore Lombard Phariss, who walked the Trail of Tears to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma in 1837.

Growing up on a dairy farm north of Skiatook, OK, Don began each day milking cows before school. In 1958, Don enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Yorktown CVS-10 aircraft carrier. After being honorably discharged in 1961, he dedicated his career to the Department of Defense Federal Fire Department, protecting military bases in many locations, including Twentynine Palms, CA; De Nang, South Vietnam; Subic Bay, Philippines; Pearl Harbor, HI; Yokosuka, Japan; and San Diego, CA. He retired as the Fire Chief of the Federal Fire Department in San Diego, receiving the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1990.

Don and Marcia retired to Tulsa, OK and remained there for 29 years before moving to Vernon Hills to be closer to family. A member of the American Legion Post 1 in Tulsa, OK, and more recently, American Legion Post 867 in Mundelein, IL, Don treasured the camaraderie of his fellow legionnaires, firefighters, and police officers.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, December 13 at The Orchard Church, 870 West End Ct., Vernon Hills, IL 60061. An interment ceremony will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Orchard Church (Vernon Hills Fund), 1301 S Grove Ave, Barrington, IL 60010. Funeral arrangements by McMurrough Funeral Chapel (847) 362-2626.