In Loving Memory of Donald Raymond McCrabb
- Wade Funeral Home
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 10
Donald Raymond McCrabb
July 20, 1954 - December 10, 2025
Funeral Arrangements
Saturday, January 10, 2026
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart
3211 Sacred Heart Way NW
Washington, D.C. 20010
Viewing: 10:00am
Celebration of the Funeral Mass: 12:00pm
Repast
1:00pm
Sacred Heart School
1625 Park Road NW
Washington, D.C. 20010
(Parking is available at the school.
The school is walking distance from the parish)
Livestream
Obituary
Don Raymond McCrabb (71) was blessed with a deep and wide network of friends and colleagues. He enjoyed sharing hospitality. His generous spirit permeated every encounter with kindness, joy, and laughter. Often there would be a dad joke or a story to enrich the conversation. He simply loved sharing life with people. He embraced and strived to live fully the wisdom of the prophet Micah to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God.
Don’s passion was learning, teaching, and sharing ideas. He treasured robust conversations and animated dialogues. Insanely curious, he posed deep, thoughtful questions. Whether teaching pastoral field education at the Dominican House of Studies or training pastors in leadership with the Catholic Leadership Institute, he delighted in the exchange. In recent years, he engaged people through circle work and synodal conversations. Working with Catholic Mobilizing Network he facilitated conversations in communion. He delighted in the accompaniment of the Holy Trinity men’s group.
Don worked for justice, fostering right relationships, and offering compassionate care for those in need. He Chaired the Board of the Sacred Heart dinner program. He co-led the Catholic Cares Coalition, a group of more than 60 Catholic organizations promoting vaccination among underserved populations during Covid. He joined a restorative justice circle at Holy Trinity parish in pursuit of racial reconciliation and healing.
A leader in the Church, Don served as Executive Director for the US Catholic Mission Association, as the President of the Catholic Youth Foundation, and as the Executive Director of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. His vision, creativity, tenacity, and compassion benefited many through those organizations and their collaborators.
Most of all, Don loved Jesus and his family. He lived a generous, hope-filled, faithful witness rooted in love. He is survived by his wife Barbara, whom he cherished, their sons, Martin and Jacob living at home in Washington, DC and their son Andrew, Kelly his wife, and their three grandchildren, Paige, Sophie, and Anderson who live in Mesa, Arizona. He is also survived by his sister Mary Couples, his sister-in-law Debbie McCrabb, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers David and Maris.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made in Don's honor to one of the ministries that he so deeply loved and served:
Lodging
For those needing lodging, we suggest the Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown located at 8506 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. You can contact the hotel: by phone at 301-589-4899 or on the web at Marriott.com. The Courtyard offers reasonable rates, parking, and proximity to the services.
In celebrating Don's life, ministry, and his baptismal vocation, we ask friends and family to wear white to the gathering.