Donald Krake Gronos

Donald Krake Gronos, 84, of Palm Springs, Calif. passed away December 9, 2009 in Palm Springs. He was born February 14, 1925 to Martin and Flossie Gronos in Wolford, N.D. He graduated from Wolford High School in 1943 and later the Real Estate Program at Harbor College in Wilmington, Calif. In spite of a physical handicap, Don joined the Merchant Marines in World War II, where he received a combat medal, and served with valor in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans on the SS Jack Singer, having survived a torpedo attack near Japan in 1945. On Feb 12, 1954, he married Delores Olson in Inglewood, Calif. They lived in southern California until 1976 when Don retired from the Air Research Corp. in Torrance, Calif. They then moved to Grass Valley, Calif. where Don, a highly skilled draftsman and architectural designer, designed and built his dream home. Later they moved to Salem, Ore. where Delores passed away. In 1993, Don married Erma Gallagher. They divorced in 2005, and Don moved to Palm Springs to live with his daughter. Don loved the desert climate and was a member of the Los Compadres Club in Palm Springs and always lent a helping hand whenever he could with the Soroptimist of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Lions Club. He attended Desert Chapel in Palm Springs. He was an easy going and even tempered man with a wonderful disposition. He was very generous and highly patriotic, if you were to show disrespect for the United States, you would have a fierce argument on your hands. In addition to his wife Delores, Don was preceded in death by his son, Marc Gronos; and brother, Loren "Bud" Gronos. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Leann and Ron Dale of Palm Springs; his brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Kathy Gronos of Gardena, Calif.; his loving Ex-wife, Erma Gronos of Keizer, Ore.; nieces, Kristi (Steve), and Stephanie (Steve); nephews, Dean, Richard and Renos; three great nieces and one great nephew; many cousins and his special Oregon family members and his God-Daughter, Kathy Atwood. Don loved his family dearly and would sacrifice anything for their benefit. Above all, he loved his Lord Jesus with all his heart and now fellowships in eternity with his Lord. Memorial Services will take place at 1:00 PM on January 16, 2010 at the Desert Chapel in Palm Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations to the Salvation Army or the Billy Graham Crusades.