Member Profile - Don Crites

Don & his '31 Seagrave at the recent parade in Fredericksburg, VA.

Don Crites - November 2000

Don has loved fire trucks since he was a kid! Growing up in Denver, Colorado, he used to walk by a Denver fire station and look in at a big American LaFrance with wood spoke wheels. The rig was sparkling white with ornate sold leaf trim and a big bell. What an impression this must have made on a youngster!

Later in life, Don was involved with a classic car club in Denver and began an association with a gentleman that owned an ex Denver ‘24 ALF - Painted white of course - that was used frequently for shows and rides for the children. Don used to blow the exhaust whistle and ring the bell while giving rides on the rig.

Don moved from Denver to Fredericksburg, Va. in 1988 to marry his wife, Mary, who lived in Fredericksburg.

Upon reading the morning paper, an add appeared for a 1938 Chevy fire truck. Don and son in law Shannon Berry, rode to Frederick, Md. and purchased the Chevy. With the truck About 80% restored, they heard about the Colonial Beach Firefighter's Parade and decided to take the Chevy. They were soon impressed when a group of antique apparatus known as the ODHFS swarmed into the line up area! They joined immediately and the rest is history!

Don now has four antique rigs which are seen at parades and shows all over Virginia. The latest rig is a 1931 Seagrave suburbanite , from Fredericksburg, that is now back on the road due to Don’s diligence. An avid supporter of the ODHFS, Don and his wife Mary are a great couple to have around and be sure to say hello to them when they pop up at a parade in your neighborhood!