Donald Brant Crenshaw III left this world on October 22, 2023. Born August 1, 1954 at Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, he was the first child of Donald Crenshaw Jr. and Maerita Waldrop Crenshaw, high school sweethearts from Breckenridge, Texas. Donnie, as he was known to family and many friends, lived in San Antonio, Breckenridge, Eliasville, Okemah, Oklahoma and Italy during his youth. The experience of being in these various places helped to bring us a man who was always curious, questioning and open minded, who rooted for the underdog and acted with exacting ethical standards.

Donnie was a gifted musician, a natural talent. Primarily a pianist he also played guitar, french horn and more. He was named Best Musician in high school and played in various ensembles as a young man. He was also a writer of both music, poetry and short fiction. Open, curious, questioning, ethical-these traits were prominent in his artistic output, often to heart-breaking effect.

Donnie graduated from Breckenridge Hgh School in 1972 and attended Texas Tech University briefly. He continued his education throughout his life with intensive independent dedication to many topics but especially music, theology and history. He read 3 or 4 books at a time--one scholarly, one serious literature, one for fun. He dedicated himself to a focused study of classical music and would read multiple biographies of any musician he was studying while listening to everything they produced. He had an astounding memory and an unmatched attention to detail regarding all of his interests.

Donald worked in retail and his work took him from Lubbock to Lake Jackson, Galveston, Austin, and back to San Antonio where he worked for Wittigs Office Interiors for almost 25 years and enjoyed many wonderful friendships. He retired in 2017. He loved San Antonio for its history and culture, the friends he made there and the possibility of a car-free life. He passed away in his beloved hometown, under the San Antonio blue sky (a blue that he often praised) at Baptist Hospital, completing a touching circle of life and death.

Donald is survived by his sisters, Betsy Crenshaw (Kimberleigh Smith), Sally Lloyd (Rob), his brother, Cory Crenshaw, his nieces and nephews, Eli Crenshaw Smith, Rachel Young, Rebekah and Aiden Lloyd, and Carly and Devin Crenshaw, and many cousins. He is also survived by the many good long term friends who were also chosen family. 

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