Life Story for Donald Leslie Shank
Donald Leslie (“Don”) Shank, a longtime fixture of the Gladstone, Jennings Lodge, and Gleneden Beach communities, passed away on December 20, 2018, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, Oregon. He was 92.
Don was born on March 14, 1926, in Portland, Oregon, the only child of Leslie Shank and Allie (McDonald) Shank. After Leslie’s death in 1928, Allie married Ernest Shank, and the family relocated to Grants Pass, Oregon. Don graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1943, and was a proud “Caveman” for the rest of his life.
Upon graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a Ship’s Cook (3rd Class) in the Pacific theater and saw action at the Battle of Okinawa. During the war, while on leave in Portland, he met the love of his life, Norma Roloff. They married upon his discharge in 1946, and remained together for 69 years, until her death in 2015.
After the war, Don and Norma settled in Jennings Lodge, where Don was an active member of multiple community organizations. He was heavily involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as a post commander, district commander, and eventually as Oregon Department Commander in 1962-63. Later, he was elected chairman of the Oak Lodge Water Board, a position that he held for many years.
From 1963-86, Don owned Don’s Gladstone Lockers and Don’s Old Fashioned Meat Shoppe in Gladstone. His easy smile, friendly attitude, and outgoing personality made his customers’ shopping experience memorable. Indeed, Don was well known for his “creative” marketing, including ads for “boneless pickles,” “boneless liver,” and once—during a winter storm—“free snow.”
In 1986, Don and Norma relocated to Salishan. Don soon took over as the meat manager at the Sentry supermarket in Lincoln Beach, and for 15 years, his retail talents helped brighten the days of countless customers at the coast. Don served five terms as president of his condo association board, and continued to regularly attend association meetings until he and Norma relocated to Lake Oswego due to health difficulties in 2012.
Despite his declining health, Don joined VFW Post 12140 in Lake Oswego, where he served as post’s judge advocate. He greatly enjoyed meeting with the high school contestants in the Voice of Democracy essay contest, and was recently honored with a VFW award for his lifetime of service to the organization.
Don is survived by his beloved daughter, Debra Walsh, son-in-law Patrick Walsh, grandson Timothy Walsh, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma.
Don’s burial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on December 26, 2018, at Willamette National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97086). Please direct memorial contributions to Lawrence Alberti VFW Post 12140, PO Box 453, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Don was born on March 14, 1926, in Portland, Oregon, the only child of Leslie Shank and Allie (McDonald) Shank. After Leslie’s death in 1928, Allie married Ernest Shank, and the family relocated to Grants Pass, Oregon. Don graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1943, and was a proud “Caveman” for the rest of his life.
Upon graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a Ship’s Cook (3rd Class) in the Pacific theater and saw action at the Battle of Okinawa. During the war, while on leave in Portland, he met the love of his life, Norma Roloff. They married upon his discharge in 1946, and remained together for 69 years, until her death in 2015.
After the war, Don and Norma settled in Jennings Lodge, where Don was an active member of multiple community organizations. He was heavily involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as a post commander, district commander, and eventually as Oregon Department Commander in 1962-63. Later, he was elected chairman of the Oak Lodge Water Board, a position that he held for many years.
From 1963-86, Don owned Don’s Gladstone Lockers and Don’s Old Fashioned Meat Shoppe in Gladstone. His easy smile, friendly attitude, and outgoing personality made his customers’ shopping experience memorable. Indeed, Don was well known for his “creative” marketing, including ads for “boneless pickles,” “boneless liver,” and once—during a winter storm—“free snow.”
In 1986, Don and Norma relocated to Salishan. Don soon took over as the meat manager at the Sentry supermarket in Lincoln Beach, and for 15 years, his retail talents helped brighten the days of countless customers at the coast. Don served five terms as president of his condo association board, and continued to regularly attend association meetings until he and Norma relocated to Lake Oswego due to health difficulties in 2012.
Despite his declining health, Don joined VFW Post 12140 in Lake Oswego, where he served as post’s judge advocate. He greatly enjoyed meeting with the high school contestants in the Voice of Democracy essay contest, and was recently honored with a VFW award for his lifetime of service to the organization.
Don is survived by his beloved daughter, Debra Walsh, son-in-law Patrick Walsh, grandson Timothy Walsh, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma.
Don’s burial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on December 26, 2018, at Willamette National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97086). Please direct memorial contributions to Lawrence Alberti VFW Post 12140, PO Box 453, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.