Master Sergeant Retired Donald C. Vodden 93, the last living Charter Member of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club in Sturgis, S. D. rode his Indian into the sunset for the last time on 1-21-2012 at the Missouri Veteran's Home in St. James, Mo.

Born July 17, 1918 to Myrtle and George Vodden in Sturgis, S.D. Don worked as a young child delivering the Denver Post and doing odd jobs to help support his family of nine. Later he cut ice for Hoel Ice Service. In the mid 1930's Don raced motorcycles, racing in the first "Rally" in Sturgis, in 1938. Don was also a professionel prize fighter, winning the South Dakota middle weight championship in the early 1940's.

Don joined the Army Air Corps before WWII, later chosing the Army. Don fought during WWII, in the Pacific front and served in the Korean War. He retired at Ft. Hood, Texas in 1962.

Don married fellow motorcycle enthusiast Joan Cruickshank in 1943. They raised two daughters: Janet and Donna. while moving many times, chosing to settle in Harker Heights, Texas upon retirement. Don and Joan built and managed Don's Rentals for years.

Don married Martha Nell Lewis in 1978. They loved to travel in their motorhome and continued running Don's Rentals.

Don was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Sturgis, S.D. in 2003, something he was very proud of. Don only missed 5 Rallies in his lifetime, three while stationed in Germany. Don last attended the Rally in 2010 at the age of 92!

Don was a lifetime member of the DAV, VFW, American Legion, the Over The Hill Gang Motorcycle Club, the White Plate Flat Trackers Association; Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club and was a Master Mason.

Don is survived by his wife: Martha Vodden of Eldon, Missouri; daughters: Janet Rother and husband Kenneth of San Antonio, Texas and Donna Eliott and husband Larry of Bigfoot, Texas; grandson: John Brennon Duncan and fiance Kimberly Rose of San Antonio, Texas; and great granddaughter: Brynn Avery Duncan of Giddings, Texas; sister: Marion Mellow of Pismo Beach, CA.; and numerous cousings, nieces and nephews. Also step childrern: 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 step great-granchildren.

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

Services
Following cremation Don will be buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D. in the summer of 2012. Memorials may be sent to Missouri Veteran's Home, 620 N. Jefferson St., St. James, Mo. 65559 or the Eldon Senior Citizens Center; Eldon, Mo. 65026. The family asks you to remember all US Veterans.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.