Donald Brent Croft

Donald Brent Croft, age 77, Salt Lake City, died peacefully November 14th, 2008.
Son of Gordon and Carma Hunsaker Croft, Don was born in Ogden, Utah October 18, 1931.
Don graduated from High School in California. He got his undergraduate and Master's degrees from the University of Utah and his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico.
Don was a professor and worked extensively with doctoral students at New Mexico State University. The majority of his career was devoted to teaching as well as grant and research work in the Educational Psychology field in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
He has lived in Salt Lake City for the past 20 years. He has been known as "Grandpa Don" by the children in the neighborhood, where they could always come and get a smile and a treat.
Don married Jeanne Blakley in 1957 while serving in the Army and stationed in Kennewick, Washington. They had two daughters, Karen and Lisa.
Don had a deep love and appreciation for music. He always had classical or jazz playing wherever he was. He had a small repertoire of songs he could play expertly on the piano. Don also loved old cars and restored many makes and models, Porsche was his particular favorite. He loved cooking and wrote many cookbooks. Don truly enjoyed working on "projects" to improve his family property in Weber Canyon and spent countless happy hours with family and friends working with and teaching them how to be productive and enjoy life.
Though Don had many hobbies and interests, they served mostly as a means by which he could keep his mind occupied and active as well as teach what was most important and valuable to him: helping others find the inner ability to be self-reliant, confident and to feel loved.
Words can't describe the man, the father, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend, we all knew. What he brought into everyone's life is unforgettable and priceless. The lives he touched made a difference in this world. He was so positive you couldn't help but look at the brighter side. He was so intelligent; always teaching, making you a better person. He was always there for those he cared for when they needed him the most. Sometimes all he would do is listen with sincerity, which showed that he cared. Don is proof that love has no limits. Don will be remembered as a generous, loving, and strong person; as a person that would give anything to see the ones he loves happy. He will truly be missed by more than many.
Don is survived by his daughters, Karen (Ed Payne), and Lisa (Lynn Meinzer), and his grandchildren, Sid, Penny (Tyler Ince), Jillian (Gabe Payne), Greg Payne, Tara (Bill Barber), Tres, Lisa (Steve Edwards), Scott, David Romney; Carl Luft; siblings, Michael Croft (Susan), Jeff Stein (Chris) Jana Dahle (Sam); and many good friends and loving relatives.

Internment services will be held at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S Camp Williams Road (Redwood Road), Bluffdale, Utah at 1:00 p.m. Viewing will be one hour prior. Email condolences may be sent to lmeinzer@msn.com.