2 weeks Ago
On Friday, November 22, 2024 in Orlando Florida, Donald Murdoch McPherson passed away. He was 93 years old. Don, as most new him, was an active member of the Santa Cruz Art League and the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club where he was also a past president.
He co-owned and managed Sentinel Printers for 30 years. He was born in Santa Cruz CA. August 31st 1931 to Dr.
Mahlon and Blanche McPherson. He Graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1949 and from San Jose State in 1954, where he was a Theta Ki Fraternity Brother, with a B.A.
in Fine Arts. He then served in the US Navy for two years. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s he worked at the Santa Cruz Sentinel Newspaper in display advertising and was appointed production director of the Miss California Pageant.
During these years Don piloted planes, painted, lifeguarded, and surfed at Steamers Lane or Cowell Beach on surfboards he made himself. The surfboards are now on display at the Santa Cruz Surf Museum. Don married his wife Patti in 1969.
He retired from the printing business in 1992, and started diligently going back to art classes. For the next 17 years with his wife Patti managing him, he would be accepted again and again into Open Studio as well was various art shows, where his work received numerous awards. Don’s productions are scattered throughout the bay area and possibly further.
Anyone who remembers Don will tell you he cherished spending time with family, friends and people in general with kindness and interest in the lives of others. He had a great love of learning and mastering his many crafts along with a staunch belief in service to the community. His all-time favorite film since he was 9 years old was the Adventures of Robin Hood, staring Errol Flynn.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he is survived by, Patti, his wife of 55 years, his two sons Duncan and Jason and three daughters Nancy, Clair, Morgan and her husband Jeff. He has 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Though his passing brings immense sadness, his life brings celebration and inspiration to everyone who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Santa Cruz Art League and the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club. Honor with Flowers In memory of Donald Murdoch Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Donald Murdoch.
