Donald George "Uncle Don" Padgett, 74, Piedmont, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at the VA Black Hills Health Care, Fort Meade.

Visitation will be noon until 5 p.m. on Thursday at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont. A Vigil service with family and friends will be offered at 7:00 p.m. at the Church.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont with Fr. Mark McCormick officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors by the Piedmont American Legion.

"Uncle Don" was born November 17, 1935, at Baxter Springs, KS, to Alpha George and Loreta Velva (Philbrick) Padgett. He moved to Utah as a child where he grew up and attended school. He was drafted into the US Army and served in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he was employed through civil service at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He was transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base where he worked on the missile silos. He retired as a production controller in 1993.

Uncle Don's Campground was started east of Elk Creek in 1990. Don enjoyed running the campground, his life, and being with his friends.

He married Polly Garcia at his campground on August 11, 1994.

Don also enjoyed fixing up old cars. He was an entertainer and played the guitar and sang. He also had a great "magic show".

Survivors include his wife, Polly, Piedmont; sons, Scott Padgett, Ogden, UT, Mike (Christy) Padgett, Greenville, NC, and Mark Padgett, Clinton, UT; daughters, Susan (Dale) Mietus, Clinton, UT, Linda (Don) Theriault Mission Viejo, CA, Sandy Sanchez, Syracuse, UT, and Amy (Gino) Thurgood, Syracuse, UT; sister, Norma (Fred) Zampedri, Ogden, UT; 19 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard; sister, Jean; and daughter, Pam.