Donald R Ropele

December 17, 1943 – November 15, 2025

Donald Raymond Ropele passed away peacefully surrounded by this family. He was the devoted son of Raymond and Anne Ropele, and brother to Richard Anthony Ropele. He was born in Los Angeles in 1943, and moved to Santa Ana in 1945, where he spent his childhood, cultivating life-long friendships. Don played sports throughout school, and enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his dad and brother. He loved to bodysurf and spent his weekends at San Clemente beach. Don graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1961, and attended Santa Ana College and Cal State Fullerton.

In 1961, Don began working for Alpha Beta where he met the love of his life, Leslie Crenshaw. Don and Leslie were married on February 16, 1968, at Garden Grove Community Church. Don and Leslie had two children, Mark (JoEllen) and Michele (Danijel). Despite his busy career, Don always made time to be present in the lives of his family and friends. He was a father figure and mentor to many. Don was affectionately known as “Bapa” to his two grandchildren, Summer and Skylar, who brought him immeasurable joy.

Don worked in the grocery retail industry his entire life, working for Alpha Beta, Food 4 Less and retired in 2001 as a Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Ralphs Grocery Company. In retirement, Don lovingly cared for his and Leslie’s elderly parents and spent time with family, grandchildren and pursuing his hobbies. He ran the Los Angeles Marathon and rode 100-mile bike rides all over Southern California.

Don was well known in the City of Tustin, volunteering and serving in various capacities with the Tustin Pride Committee, the Tustin Historical Society, the Chief’s Advisory Board and the Tustin Tiller Days committee. Don was best known in the city for his many years of service to the Tustin Area Senior Center and for co-chairing the Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook Off committee. In 2007, Don was awarded the Tustin Area Man and Year Award, and from 2009 through 2011, Don served as a Community Services Commissioner.

Don will be remembered as someone who lived his life with character and integrity. He will be dearly missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Tustin Area Senior Center Fund Inc., 200 S. C Street, Tustin, CA 92780, (714) 573-3340, Tax I.D. #33-0150188. The Tustin Area Senior Center Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides funding for various facility improvements, programs, and services to enrich the lives of seniors in Tustin.

Private services will be held for the immediate family, with a celebration of life to follow at a later time.