Donald PROUSE

DONALD RAY PROUSEDon passed away on March 1, 2007 in Lake Havasu City at age 83 after a six week illness and was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one sister.Don was born on August 3, 1923 in a house "in the country" in Long Beach, CA. The city eventually moved out to the country and the nearest intersection became known as Long Beach Blvd. and Anaheim Street.When Don was 12 years old he was given a sailboat and thus started his love of sailing andpower boating. 'Don graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach in June of 1940. On November 11, 1942 he enlisted in the Coast Guard as an Apprentice Seaman. Most of his active duty was spent aboard the USS Arthur Middleton in the South Pacific. As an accomplished piano player, he was the leader of a quartet aboard ship. He was honorably discharged on October 15, 1945 as a Machinist's Mate third class.The next few years he spent boarding ships to sell life insurance to returning sailors who were to be discharged. Then he went to work for Canadian Indemnity Insurance Company as an Underwriter. He again felt a calling to the sea and started skippering boats to Catalina for skin divers and fishermen.Ten years after World War II Don returned to the South Pacific as a civilian employee for the government. He lived on Parry Island in the Marshall Islands for two years and was a tug boat operator during testing of the Atomic Bomb on the atoll Enewetoc.Don met his wife to be, "Marti," in Newport Beach, CA on a blind date aboard his Alden 22, a wood sailboat he had beautifully restored. They married July 1, 1960.Their life together included raising daughters Linda and Holly in Huntington Beach, CA while Don owned and operated a service station in Laguna Beach, CA. The family enjoyed camping and lots of boating. .They joined Seal Beach Yacht Club in 1980 in order to campaign their Islander 30 in the race world. They were comparatively old folks playing a young man's game. They participated in many local races and island races through SLBYC and Long Beach Yacht Club. Some of their favorite races were to Catalina Island and Dana Point. Their best finish was a second place.They also spent time camping on Lake Havasu in the 70's and 80's and much time water skiing. They moved to Lake.Havasu City in 1991.Don is a member of BPO Elks 2399 and a past member of Lake Havasu Yacht Club and the London Bridge Amateur Radio Club.As per his request, there will not be a funeral or memorial. Per his request his ashes will be scattered over the ocean next summer by his family. Don really didn't love the ocean but rather he loved the boats that rode on the ocean. He will be missed by his family every day.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.