It is with great sorrow we share that Donald “Don” Stuart Crowley, Jr. passed away in his home on Monday, February 25, 2025. He was 57 years old. 

Born in Orlando, Florida on April 15, 1967,  Don was the first son of Donald Stuart Crowley, Sr. and Mary Judith McGowan Crowley.  The family moved from Florida to Ann Arbor Michigan, to Austin, TX in 1977 and resided there for the remainder of his life.

He and his 5 siblings grew up on a cul-de-sac in Northwest Austin. He attended Hill Elementary, Murchison Junior High and graduated in 1985 from LC Anderson High School, where he was a member of the band, wrestled, and was a Belle Beau. 

Don and his siblings spent their summers poolside at Westover Hills Swim Club, where Don lifeguarded and later managed the facility and coached the Black Wave swim team. He and his family were parishioners of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. 

After high school, Don attended the University of Texas at Austin along with  joining the ROTC. He graduated in 1990 with a BS in Human Ecology and a Minor in Architecture/ Biology/ Facility Design & Management. He would go on to become a lifelong Longhorn working for 40 years as a Specialist/ Assistant Professor for UT Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and Aquatics Center, including the proud honor of Teacher of the Year in 2013. 

He was formerly married to Heidi Crowley, the mother of his children Caprice, Cruz and Cia. All three kids swam before they could walk or even pronounce the word Swimming, and are continuing his aquatic legacy lifeguarding and playing water polo at the University of Texas Swim Center.  

He could be seen zooming around campus, dashing from pool to pool, in his white VW Thing adorned with stickers and bones, blasting Oingo Boingo, Adam Ant and Devo.

Don’s love of the tropics and all things Tiki spanned from Florida, to Hawaii, to Tahiti and was showcased in his home decor and colorful Hawaiian shirts he wore on most occasions. 

His lifelong love of teaching and swimming inspired his career as a Water Safety Instructor, LifeGuard Instructor, CPR trainer and his faculty website tagline reiterates his commitment to promoting a lifetime of safe water activities, and assists organizations that do the same.

Additionally, Don was on the board of the American Red Cross of Central Texas, Central Texas Water Safety Coalition, International Surf Lifeguards Association and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance as well as other life saving organizations.

His business, Aquaknow Aquatics, had the mission statement of  “The only sport that will save your life.”  To date there are thousands of lifeguards and swimmers out there in the world saving lives and enjoying pool time because of Don. He specialized in teaching adults as first time swimmers, as well as children with disabilities. He also left an undefeated coaching legacy of the Canyon Creek Cyclone swim team. 

Don is survived by his children, Caprice, Cruz and Cia Crowley of Austin, TX; his mother, Judith Crowley of Cedar Park, TX; his brother David, wife Susan, and their children, Gryffin and Lee Crowley of Taos, NM; his brother James and wife Leila Dallal of Austin, TX; his brother John, wife Monica and their child Lilly Crowley of Austin, TX; his sister Jeanne Crowley Mearns and husband John Mearns of Big Sur, CA; and his sister Suzi Craddock, her husband Kevin Craddock and their children Kaci and Madelyn Craddock of Cedar Park, TX. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Stuart Crowley, Sr., his grandmother, Marie McGowan, and Ann Labuhn, his wonderful Aunt and Godmother. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Foundation for Alcoholism Research.