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Obituary for Donald "Don" L. Scanlon
Donald L. “Don” Scanlon, 70, of Brookings, passed away from natural causes at his home on November 30, 2014. Don was born February 5, 1944, in Sacramento, Calif. one of two children to John and Jean Scanlon. Don grew up in several California locations, as his father worked for the CA Department of Corrections, often living on the grounds of prison facilities. Following his high school graduation, Don attended Oregon State University, where he was enrolled in the forestry program. He quickly decided forestry was not for him. Later, he attended Mt. San Antonio College and graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He went to work for Gallo Wines, where he helped develop accounting software and traveled the world. In 1978, Don moved to Crescent City. There he began his private accounting practice. He later partnered with Cholwell, Benz & Hartwick in Crescent City. After becoming Chief Financial Officer for Elk Valley Casino, he participated in the development of that enterprise from the ground up until 2002. Don built his private practice in California, Oregon and Pennsylvania. During his entire career, Don was very active in the communities where he lived. He taught business, accounting and computer classes at College of the Redwoods, Crescent City, at DeSales University and the Pennsylvania School of Business in Pennsylvania and Southwestern Oregon Community College, Brookings. Wanting to become more proficient as a fraud examiner, Don accomplished a Master’s Degree in Economic Crime Management from Utica College in New York in 2008. Don served as an expert witness in numerous trials and wrote articles, publications as well as book entitled A Perfect Storm, Setting the Stage for the Victimization of Older Americans with Predatory Home Equity Mortgages. Don's civic volunteering included Kiwanis and Rotary International in both Crescent City and Bethlehem. He served on the boards of the churches he attended, at St. Joseph's School in Crescent City, Del Norte Child Care Council and Area Agency on Aging. Don married Janice Robinson in Crescent City, California on April 13, 2001. They moved to Bethlehem, PA in 2006 for his wife’s career. Moving back to Brookings in 2011, Don resumed his accounting practice and his true heart’s calling, teaching. Known as a “very nice guy,” helping his friends and teaching were his passions. Don also enjoyed collecting railroad memorabilia, studying World War II, watching birds and cooking. He frequently baked pies and cakes for the Community Kitchen—a daily free lunch provided by area volunteers in Brookings. Don was also a life-long avid Oregon Ducks fan. Survivors include his wife, Janice, of Brookings; daughters, Kara Scanlon of Montague, Calif., Kendra Scanlon and her significant other, Tim Nelson, of Crescent City, Calif., step-son, Justin Nugent of Brookings, grandchildren, Tasha Mejia of Weed, Calif. and Nikko Rodriguez of Chico, Calif., Reiley Nelson and Olivia Scanlon of Crescent City, Calif., brother James Scanlon and his wife, Judy, of Georgia. Don was preceded in death by his mother and father. Memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to the Community Kitchen. Checks can be made out to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1237, Brookings, OR 97415. Please write “Community Kitchen” on the memo line. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Brookings Presbyterian Church, 540 Pacific Avenue in Brookings. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.
