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Remembering Doug Cruikshank:
A Legacy of Service, Friendship, and Building Hope
💙🏡💙
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of longtime MacHabitat volunteer and dear friend, Doug Cruikshank, who passed away in early October. Doug's remarkable dedication to our mission, the friendships he built, and the countless lives he touched will remain a lasting part of MacHabitat's story.
For 17 years, from 2001 to 2018, Doug was a dedicated member of our construction crew, helping build affordable homes for families throughout our community. He served nearly a decade as a volunteer Project Manager and also gave his time and leadership on the MacHabitat's Board of Directors.
But Doug's contributions went far beyond the homes he helped build. Known for his patience, generosity, and wealth of knowledge, Doug was a mentor and leader to countless fellow volunteers. What made his story especially meaningful was that he came to MacHabitat with no construction experience himself. Encouraged to volunteer by his brother, who was involved with Habitat in the Bay Area, Doug quickly discovered a passion for building homes and helping others.
In a 2018 article he wrote for the News-Register, Doug reflected on his very first construction assignment from MacHabitat founder Bernie Turner, and how the support of fellow volunteers helped him grow from a beginner into someone who could confidently lead and teach others. He eventually developed the skills to design and build a home of his own with his wife, Linda, and the help of a fellow Habitat volunteer!
Doug understood that Habitat was about much more than construction. As he wrote in that article:
"One volunteer cannot succeed without being surrounded and supported by many others."
And perhaps even more powerfully, he described his motivation for serving:
"I committed myself, through service, to create advantages and opportunities for others."
Those words beautifully capture the spirit Doug brought to MacHabitat.
When asked what he loved most about volunteering, Doug didn't point to a particular home or accomplishment. Instead, he shared that the camaraderie with the men and women of the construction crew was the highlight of every day on the worksite — adding with his characteristic humor that the morning snacks kept everyone going!
The friendships Doug formed through Habitat lasted well beyond his years on the construction crew. One of the photos shared here captures some of those longtime volunteers coming together to build a wheelchair ramp at Doug and Linda's home — a touching example of the same spirit of teamwork, generosity, and friendship that Doug gave so freely to others for so many years.
Doug and Linda have been extraordinary supporters of MacHabitat since 2001. Linda has generously volunteered for 25 years between our ReStore, Family Selection Committee, and Aspire Park Task Force, and together they have supported our mission as donors and enthusiastic participants in countless community and fundraising events — including nearly every annual MacHabitat Dinner & Auction event across the last 30 years!
Doug's commitment to service was recognized beyond our Habitat community, too. In 2018, he received a Portland Trail Blazers Volunteer Award, an honor that included a memorable evening at a Blazers game with Linda, high-fiving players on the court and seeing his photo displayed on the arena's big screen!
Doug once offered this advice to anyone considering volunteering with Habitat:
"You should give it a try. You and your fellow volunteers will form a fun and strong bond."
He certainly lived those words.
As we remember Doug, we celebrate not only the many homes he helped build, but also the knowledge he shared, the friendships he nurtured, and the example of service he leaves behind. His legacy lives on in the homes standing throughout our community and in the volunteers who continue the work he cared so deeply about.
To Linda and the entire Cruikshank family, we extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest gratitude. Thank you for sharing Doug with our Habitat family for so many wonderful years.
A memorial service will be held
Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
McMinnville Cooperative Ministries
544 NE 2nd Street, McMinnville
Rest in peace, Doug. Thank you for helping us build homes, community, and hope. Your impact will not be forgotten.
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For those wishing to learn more about Doug's life
and legacy, his obituary can be found here:
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