Obituary of Donald Stewart Proud

Donald Proud died peacefully at home, after battling brain cancer for 12 years, surrounded by friends and family on September 10th, 2020 in Tacoma, WA.

“Donnie”, “Buckshot”, “Niceaman”, “D.P.” was born August 1st, 1953 at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, WA. The son of Jack Proud and Irene Provost, brother to Carol Proud and Judy Bowden, Donald shared his family’s love of music and incredible talent.

From choirs in St. Patrick’s to drama classes at Tacoma Little Theatre with his sisters, on to Mason Jr. High, then Stadium High School, to Hoover High in San Diego and finally a Senior at Hope High in Providence, RI, “Schroeder” played piano in school jazz bands and in his living room with his best friends.

In his early teen years he studied with noted NW jazz pianist, Shelby Zalman. Later, after joining the Navy, he was discharged to Seattle and then attended The Evergreen State College followed by attending Cornish College of the Arts, studying with jazz great Gary Peacock.

He married and became widowed from Mary Rottschafer and had two daughters, Katie and Briana Proud. Don was a musician, a landscaper, and devout Catholic. He played piano as a soloist, sharing his talent at weddings, receptions, restaurants and pick up groups. He shared his life with his sisters, daughters, nieces, his family and friends and his beloved Lori Lastufka.

We will be celebrating his life on September 18th at Calvary Cemetery in Lakewood at 11am, followed by a small gathering of his loved ones. “Be cool!”, as he would say, and be safe as we say goodbye to a good man.