Donald Charles Vodden was born on July 17, 1918, to Myrtle (Bovee) Vodden and George Vodden in Sturgis, SD. Don worked as a young child delivering the Denver Post and doing any odd job he could find to help support his family of nine. In his teen's he cut ice for the Hoel Ice Service and later worked at Fort Meade in the kitchen.

Don bought his first motorcycle in 1934 at age 16. He loved to ride, race and was active with the local group. In 1936, he became a Charter Member of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club and took part in the many activities of the club. Don raced in the first "RALLY" in 1938. He was the last living charter member of the Jackpine Gypsies and was very proud of that. During the time Don was racing motorcycles in several states he was also an amateur boxer. He had many local bouts, earning the nickname "Joe Lewis" Vodden from Sturgis. In 1939, Don turned Professional and won his first professional fight against George Middleton of Rapid City, scoring a technical knock out in the fifth round. He later won the South Dakota Middleweight Championship.

In 1942, Don joined the old Army Air Corp. and later chose the Army when it split into the Army and Air Force. Don fought for his country in WW
II in the Pacific front and in Korea. He retired after 20 years, during the early Vietnam era at Fort Hood, TX, in 1962.

Don married fellow motorcycle enthusiast Joan Cruickshank of Sturgis in 1943. They raised two daughters, Janet and Donna, while moving many times in the Army and living in Europe for three years. During this time, the familywas not able to attend the Rally. Don and Joan built and managed Don's Rentals in Harker Heights, TX, for years. They later divorced.

Don married Martha Nell Lewis in 1978. They traveled in their motorhome and continued running Don's Rentals. They enjoyed visiting Don's many friends and family. They settled in Eldon, MO.

Don was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Sturgis, SD, in 2003, which he was very proud of. His name is on the White Plate Fast Trackers Monument in Sturgis. Don only missed five (5) Rallys in his lifetime. Don last attended the Rally in 2010 at age of 92! He had a great
time!!

Don was a life-time member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, the White Plate Flat Trackers
Association, the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, the Over The Hill Gang Motorcycle Club, and was a Master Mason.

Master Sergeant (Retired) Donald Charles Vodden was 93 years old when he rode his Indian into the sunset for the last time on January 21, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, MO.

Don was survived by his wife of 34 years, Martha Vodden of Eldon, MO; daughters, Janet Rother and husband, Kenneth of San Antonio, TX and Donna Eliott and husband, Larry of Big Foot, TX; grandson, John Brennon Duncan of San Antonio, TX; great-granddaughter, Brynn Avery Duncan of Giddings, TX; one sister, Marion Mellow of Pismo Beach, CA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by stepchildren, Wanda and Kenneth Clark of Jarrell, TX, Robert and Loretta Lewis of Harker Heights, TX, and Cathy and George Golden of Eldon, MO; several step-grandchildren and stepgreat- grandchildren.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George, Duane and Wallace; sisters, Lucille and Juanita; and his first wife, Joan Cruickshank Carlson.

The family asks you to remember all US Veterans.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com .

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