LTC Donald Cripps Sr. (Ret.)

1929 - 2017

LTC Donald William Cripps (Ret.), 87, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Providence Seward Medical Center from pneumonia.
A memorial service was held in his honor on May 4, 2017, at the American Legion Post 5 in Seward, Alaska. Jonathan Sewall, a longtime friend, officiated at the service.
Don was born on Oct. 23, 1929, in Danville, Pa. He graduated from Danville High School in 1947, Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing Formen in 1950, and University of Washington Physician's Assistant School in 1991.
He served in the National Guard, at age 15, during World War II. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, in 1951, service at Valley Forge Army Hospital. He served until 1953. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1956-58, and then was commissioned in 1958, serving until retirement from the Army in 1977. He served at Fort Richardson from 1966-68.
In July 1977, he moved to Seward, where he worked as a Nurse Anesthetist at the Seward General Hospital. In 1982, he worked for the State of Alaska as an Emergency Medical Services Instructor. He retired from the State of Alaska in 1989. In 1992, he worked as a Physician's Assistant at Spring Creek Correctional Center. Beginning in 1993, he worked in Seward as a Physician's Assistant and eventually retired in 1996.
Don was a member of the Seward United Methodist Church. He also served on the Seward City Council from 1979-81, and as Mayor of Seward from 1981-85 and again from 1992-94. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, skeet shooting, outdoor activities and photography.
His family wrote: "Don loved his family, his country and his God. He was active in many benevolent and service organizations and spent his life in service to his country, his community and his fellow man. He will be greatly missed."
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph T. and Elizabeth Mae Cripps; sister, June Cripps; brother, Ralph Cripps; and granddaughter, Sparkyl J. Cripps.
He is survived by his wife, Jean E. Cripps of Seward; sons, Donald W. Cripps Jr. of Seward, Steven L. Cripps of Alpena, Mich., David B. Cripps of Harvest, Ala., and Wayne T. Cripps of Defiance, Ohio; grandchildren, Brandon P. and Aimee B. Cripps both of Huntsville, Ala., Alicia Davis of Bargersville, Ind., Cassandra (Cripps) Helson of Fort Wayne, Ind., Amanda Lim of Frisco, Texas, Jessica Cripps of Hentonville, Ind., and Dillon H. Cripps of Williamsport, Md.; seven great-grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews.
Rather than flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be sent to either Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corp, P.O. Box 1136, Seward, AK 99664; or American Legion Post 5, P.O. Box 306, Seward, AK 99664.
Condolences may also be left online at by clicking on his obituary at alaskanfuneral.com.