Oliver Donald Burgan

Oliver Donald “Don” Burgan was born in Havre, Montana April 27th, 1929 to Hazel Estelle Dewar Burgan and Oliver Wendell Burgan. When Don was 6 months old, they moved to Helena Montana where he got the loving care of his grandmother, Emma Mumson Burgan.

Don attended St. Helena School Kindergarten twice (as he didn’t pass the first time) but eventually moved on to first grade. He went on to High School with the famous class of 1947 (ex: Bill Parker, Ralph Anderson). While in High School, Don was the leader of a jazz band and played basketball. He then went on to Montana State University in Bozeman for one year, the University of Montana in Missoula for five quarters, then on to Los Angeles Art Center for two years.

In the summer of 1949, Don met Jean while doing construction on the Log Cabin Court in Helena, Montana, owned by Jean’s parents, June and Mick Carlson. It was love at first sight and a love story of the ages. Don commuted to Seattle every weekend to see Jean. He finally got tired of that commute and enrolled in the University of Washington where he finally settled down, actually studied, and graduated from the UW with honors.

Jean and Don were married one month after Don’s graduation in 1952. Don then entered the military as a first Lieutenant during the Korean War and went to Japan for basic training. As Don’s luck would have it, the war ended shortly thereafter. He stayed in Japan where Jean joined him 6 months later. Both had an interesting and exciting experience living there for the next 1 ½ years.

They returned to Washington where they bought a small house in Norwood Village, Bellevue, making friends that would last a lifetime. During that time, they adopted their first child, Cristy Ann. After a few years they built a larger home in Bellwood Farms, where they added more lifelong friends. Here they adopted their second child, Daniel Edward.

Don was in the electric sign business for 30 years, eventually owning his own business. He was also active in the Bellevue Jaycees, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and the first male president of Ashwood Elementary School (the same year Cristy was the first female student body president!).

Don and Jean built their dream home on Lake Sammamish where they lived and entertained their many friends over the last 37 years. They spent their winters in Kauai, where they had many visitors. Don and Jean were happily married over 65 years!

Don was a world traveler, he made it a priority to seek new and exciting adventures every year. He kept a giant world map on the wall, marking their adventures. After he retired, Don leaned into his passion for art, taking classes to expand his talents and fill our homes and hearts with his beautiful creations.

Don was a huge sports fan – both as a spectator and a player. Don learned to golf in early adulthood and kept it up into his 80s. His goal was always to golf his age, and he was proud to tell you about his two holes-in-one! He was a UW Husky Football season ticket holder since college, and attended many UW Basketball games as well. He rooted for Seahawks way before their rise to Super bowl fame!

Don is survived by his wife Jean, his daughter Cristy and her husband Ken Anderson, his son Dan and his wife Kristina, and three grandchildren, Piper, Brendan, and Brittney. He was fortunate to have a large loving family and wonderful collection of friends.