Don Krueger

Born Oct. 3, 1947

Don Krueger, a 40-year Homer resident, blissfully died at home in his sleep with a beautiful smile on his face.

Born in the farming community of Harvey, North Dakota to Ruth and John on Oct. 3, 1947, Don spent his early years in Harvey with his brothers before his father relocated the family to the Seattle area.. He graduated from Mount Lake Terrace- High school in 1965 and joined the Navy shortly after. Serving in Vietnam as a Sea Bee he operated heavy equipment on the outskirts of Da Nang before returning home at the end of his tour of duty.

After several bar manager jobs in Seattle he was offered the job of beverage manager for the Sheffield Hotel in Anchorage and he jumped at the opportunity to come to Alaska in 1974. Don bartended in Anchorage at The Chief’s Inn, Ron Dons, Chilkoot Charlie’s, Swiftwater Bill’s and the Sutton Inn before moving to Homer in 1979 to work at the Porpoise Room. A few years later, he became owner of Alice’s Champagne Palace and aggressively promoted live music bringing a string of national acts to town. He pioneered live Reggae in Homer in 1984 bringing The International Reggae All- stars to Homer. The band returned five times over the years adding new vocalists on each occasion.

In the mid ’80s Don started the Homer Stage Line providing passenger and freight service between the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage. He was adamant that there should be an alternative to flying at a price the normal person could afford. He also started the Spit Shuttle, going from the spit to anywhere in town for only a dollar. Upon retiring from the transportation industry Don dedicated himself to the game of golf. Once with friends he played four rounds of golf, on four different courses, all on the longest day of the year. He continued to play after losing a leg to diabetes and was researching handicap accessible courses with plans for the future.

Don is survived by his three brothers Dennis, Neil and John with their wives and families.

All of Don’s friends are invited to a celebration of life and potluck at the American Legion at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2019 in Homer. In lieu of flowers, Don wanted all the people reading this obit to go out, enjoy a beverage, some live music or a good meal and over tip the wait staff.