Donald F. Crowell, 83, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, in the company of his loving family. Born in Lexington, NC, on March 26, 1941, Don moved to Jacksonville with his family at the age of four. He attended local schools and graduated from Ribault High School, where he was recognized as “Mr. Ribault” in 1959.
In 1963, Don joined the Florida Air National Guard and served until 1969. Also in 1963, he began his long and illustrious 46 year career in the containerized shipping industry with SeaLand and Maersk. Don's career took him and his family around the world. With assignments in Germany (1973-1975), where he was in Sales and Operations for Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, followed by assignment in London, England, overseeing the UK and Northern Ireland (1975-1978). From 1978-1980, Don worked in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran (he was ready to board a flight to Tehran on the morning of the revolution). In 1980, Don returned to Jacksonville to make this his permanent home. He still enjoyed overseas assignments, including several months in Hong Kong (1994) to facilitate port productivity enhancements and in the Netherlands to serve as a mentor for management trainees. Don was happy to share his knowledge and experience with those he mentored. He retired in 2009 to enjoy more golf, time with family, and travel for pleasure.
Don was an avid golfer and became a member of Selva Marina Golf Club in 1982, where he scored his first hole in one. He later joined the Deerwood Country Club from 1992-2021, once proudly reducing his handicap to a +4.
Don travelled extensively for pleasure including trips to France, Italy, Scotland, Cuba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Martinique, and throughout the US, including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Arizona, New York, and many places in between. Don’s adventures included scuba diving in the Caribbean (where Donna got lost at sea temporarily), camping overnight on the Great Wall of China, and pony trekking in Scotland. He lamented his luck at the Kentucky Derby, where his horse barely left the starting gate before bucking so wildly the Jockey got off and led the horse off the track before it went more than a few furlongs. For 20 years, he hosted annual staycations for the entire family on the Atlantic Ocean in St. Johns County, which are some of the most cherished times for Don and his family.
Don loved his neighborhood, the serenity, the space, security, and being surrounded by the dogs and horses. He loved the golden retrievers. Don and Donna bred, raised, and showed numerous AKC Champions.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna Mack Crowell; children, Kelly Carnicelli (Ray) and Kevin Crowell (Tami) and their mother, Linda Crowell; grandchildren, Joey Carnicelli, Nicky Carnicelli (Alana), Anthony Carnicelli, Frankie Crowell, and Cooper Crowell; nephews, Donald J. Crowell, Scott Crowell (Wendi), Michael Crowell (Ivy); niece, Kathy Osborne; and his favorite dog, Archie (but please don’t let the other dogs know Archie was his favorite). He is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Thelma Crowell and brother, Drick Crowell.
Whether you called him Don, Dad, Uncle Don, Grandad, Honey Bear, or the names his golfing buddies gave him that we cannot print, Donald F. Crowell brought joy, passion and love to all he encountered and will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Deerwood Country Club on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm.
