Donald Erdie McRae, 74, of Sedro-Woolley, passed away May 30, 2021 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Don was born in a small log cabin in Tabernash, Colorado to W.R. “Mac” and Veronica Serena (Stegmiller) McRae. The Family moved to California in 1951 and eventually ended up in Burlington, Washington in 1957.
Don followed his dad’s lead and enlisted in the US Navy in 1967. He was assigned to the Navy’s Construction Battalion “Seabees” and was honorably discharged from the USS Vancouver in 1971.
Don is survived by a sisters and brothers in law, Rebecca and Paul Murphy, of Oak Harbor, and Chris and David Prescott of Burlington; a brother, Gerry McRae of Sedro-Woolley; numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends and neighbors. Most, if not all, would agree that Don had a “Heart of Gold…. at times annoying… but a Heart of Gold!” He was always willing to help anyone who was in need of help.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Pat McRae; nephew, Ryan McRae Prescott; sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Wyman “Bud” Cook.
He was a Proud Member of the Sedro-Woolley Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
A Graveside Service will be held Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:00AM at Greenhills Memorial Park in Burlington. Share your memories of Don and sign the online guest register.
Rip Donald another great life lost
I was on the USS VANCOUVER LPD-2 from 1967 -1970 as a Disbursing Clerk, payroll person. I would have met Donald on board the ship. Very sorry on his passing. I live in Burlington, WA from 1970 to the present. I looked on the ship’s book. With 430 men on the ship, I don’t recall having to much to say to him. To say about the crew, we were always a big family that had a big heart at all times.
I met Don in 1982 when we were in the Navy Reserves together in Mobile Construction Battalion 18. When neither of us had a job we mowed lawns, did handyman jobs, anything to make money to pay the bills. We help start the first chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 212 in Skagit County.