Donald Kenneth Harger

Donald Kenneth Harger, Jackson Hole businessman, community member and devoted family man, died on May 11, 2025, at the age of 90 at Sage Living in Jackson, Wyoming.

Don was born in Highland Park, Michigan, and raised in the Detroit area as well as Florida. He was a proud Eagle Scout and often credited scouting with instilling the values of integrity, perseverance and service. After attending Wayne State University in Detroit for several years, Don entered the U.S. Army. He graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1959 as a Commissioned Officer in the Airborne Infantry. He was discharged from active duty in 1962 so he could pursue his education but remained in the Reserves, became a Green Beret in the Special Forces and was elevated to the rank of Captain at the Presidio in San Francisco in 1965.

Don earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and later an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, balancing studies with work at Crown Zellerbach Paper and Kaiser Aerospace. It was in San Francisco where Don met Irene Frances "Fran" Gronau, the love of his life. They married in 1964 and soon welcomed two children, Keith and Cindy.

Don's career moved his family from San Francisco to Ogden, Utah, and back to California. There he served as Assistant to the President of See’s Candies in Los Angeles – a fitting match for his lifelong sweet tooth. But his heart belonged to the mountains. Annual family vacations exploring the intermountain west, including Yellowstone, the Tetons and Jackson Hole eventually inspired the biggest decision of their lives: relocating permanently to Jackson Hole in 1977.

Together, Don and Fran established "Teton Traditions," a home accessory and gift shop on the Town Square in Jackson, which they operated until 1995. Recognizing the financial struggles of life in a seasonal mountain town, Don soon expanded into additional small businesses — J Bar H Game Processing and Wholesale Ice, and Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Products. Later he added the Red Velvet Swing Old Time Photo studio to the mix. He operated these ventures until retirement.

Don was deeply involved in the Jackson Hole community, serving in Rotary Club of Jackson Hole and on the boards of the Jackson Hole Alliance for Responsible Planning, the Good Samaritan Mission, Youth and Family Services/Red Top Meadows, the Downtown Business Association. He was also a long-standing member of several local and regional organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation, Sierra Club and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. He attended the First Baptist Church beginning when it was a tiny one-room building and, later, was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole where he participated actively until his failing health made attendance difficult.

When asked recently to name his top three personal values, Don chose Love, Openness and Optimism, and it’s clear those values truly defined him. Don was a proud and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He maintained lifelong friendships from high school, college, military service and business. He was warm, welcoming and had a deep curiosity about everyone he met — quick to connect, quick to laugh, and always willing to lend a hand, whether he knew you before or not.

Even in difficult circumstances – and there were many throughout his life – he never lost faith or gave up. In the end, he’d find a way to come out better for having had the experience, and he’d often encourage others to see the silver linings in their own struggles.

Don loved seeing others succeed, joking around, giving gifts of See’s Candies, sharing Saunders hot fudge sundaes and watching documentaries. Despite his sweet tooth, he prioritized staying active and took pride in his health – something he credited for his longevity and vitality.

He always enjoyed being outdoors, whether hiking, hunting, fishing, camping or canoeing, and he instilled that appreciation in his children’s lives. He was known to rouse the kids on a chilly morning before dawn to watch sage grouse strut on the airport runway in the spring. Or in the fall, he would keep them up past bedtime for a moonlight walk near Timbered Island to hear elk bugle after the sun set behind the Tetons.

He appreciated the little things in life – and life in general. He didn’t want to miss out on anything. After celebrating his birthday this past February, he was asked how it felt to be 90. “You mean nine-TEEN?” he replied with a sly smile. “If only I could be 19 again.” He said he’d like to live his life over again and wouldn’t change a thing because “my life has been perfect.”

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Wilber and Tess June (Luloff) Harger, and his sister, Dorothy Jean Harger. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fran; sister Andrea Mathis of Detroit; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Deanna Harger of Jackson; daughter Cynthia “Cindy” Harger of Jackson; grandchildren Sylvia Bonniwell of Ft. Worth, Texas; Lucy Harger and Logan Harger of Jackson; great-grandson David Benevides of Ft. Worth, Texas; nephews Dan, Michael, and Gary Kafila and niece Nancy Arnold, all of Michigan.

A memorial service celebrating Don’s life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2nd, at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, followed by a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, P.O Box 1312, Lander, WY 82520, info@wyomingwildlife.org, or a wildlife conservation organization of your choice. Condolences can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 2826, Jackson, WY 83001.

Don’s warmth, wit, kindness, and enduring optimism will be deeply missed by all who knew him.