Long-time Pierre businessman and community champion, Donald (Don) George Boyd, 76, died January 25, 2023, at Maryhouse Long-term Care.

The funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Monday, January 30, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 408 N Jefferson Ave, Pierre with visitation one hour prior to the service and burial at Riverside Cemetery. Friends are invited to join Don’s family for a time of sharing and celebrating his life at the Longbranch, 351 S Pierre Street, immediately following the cemetery committal.

Click here to watch Live Stream

Don was born on February 26, 1946 to Stanton and June (Exe) Boyd in Seattle, WA. He was the second of five sons. Their mother always said she never got a daughter, but had her own basketball team: Dan, Don, Ron, Rick, and Jerry.

Don grew up and attended school in Pierre, SD graduating from Riggs High School in 1964. He briefly attended college at SD School of Mines and Northern State College. He joined the US Navy March 1, 1966, and served on the USS WASP until his discharge November 3, 1969. Don always described his military service, occurring during the height of the Vietnam War, by saying that after he completed basic training, his commanding officer told him there was good news and bad news. Being Don, he asked for the bad news first: Don was being assigned to a search and rescue helicopter squadron. The good news was their squadron would be picking up Gemini program astronauts after they splashed down. He spent his years in the Navy cruising the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and ports in Cuba and 17 other countries.

After his discharge from the Navy, Don enrolled a second time at Northern State College but quickly realized college wasn’t for him. He returned to Pierre and worked as an advertising salesman for various media. He later began a business, Co-op Printing and Advertising.

Don married Sue Grafton in 1970, and they had one son, Craig. The couple later divorced, and Don became a self-proclaimed bachelor.

Don was one of the early participants in Pierre Players Community Theatre serving as business manager and on the board of directors. Don loved theater. He performed in over 60 productions and wrote several plays. He was most proud of his play, “Mommy Where Are You” which he wrote and performed across the state in honor of his mother who died from Alzheimer’s.

Don was a sought-after stage personality giving motivational presentations for businesses, being the MC for events, and performing as a comedy entertainer. He loved magic and performed magic shows for school classes and children’s birthday parties. He was always pleased when youngsters recognized him and told their parent “That’s the magic man.” For many years he was “Santa Claus” for Pierre Flower Shop’s holiday open house.

Don met Kate Boyd in late 1989, realized he had met the love of his life, and his bachelor days were behind him. They were married October 3, 1992. Don happily helped raise Kate’s daughter Kimberly and was pleased that he and Kimberly shared a love of the fine arts and performing. Don willingly helped raise Kate’s grandson Ricky from toddler to age 13.

For several years Don and his friend/business partner Donna Fjelstad performed as a comedy duo at many events throughout South Dakota and other states. Later Don, Donna, and Kate began a small theatre group River Bridge that operated for several years.

Don’s love of writing lead him to begin a bi-weekly newspaper River Life that contained feature stories about people and life in and around Pierre and Fort Pierre. He published River Life for 12 years.

In 1990 Don began publication of a local news sheet that was delivered M-F to 156 businesses in Pierre and Fort Pierre. Don loved Pierre and devoted many hours each week promoting downtown Pierre. He continued to publish the daily news sheet until his health unexpectedly declined in August, 2022.

Don’s love of Pierre led him to participate in numerous community organizations and events. Don was one of the initial organizers of Oahe Days in the 1970’s. He was the first male to serve on the Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center Board of Directors, and a member of American Legion Post 8, and Vietnam Era Veterans Association. Other boards he served on included St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, Short Grass Arts Council, and Pierre Downtown Association. He was a current member of the Countryside Hospice Support and Memory Center.

A unique individual, Don always had a new joke or magic trick to share with customers, friends, and even strangers on the street. He was a lifelong walker, who never drove and never possessed a driver’s license. Why he never had a desire to drive will remain a mystery.

Don is survived by Kate, his wife of 30 years; son Craig (Lisa), Minneapolis, MN; stepdaughters Kimberly (Devin) Malone, Minneapolis, MN and Kathy Johnson, Dallas, TX; stepson Jake (Toni) Bartels, Chicago, IL; eleven grandchildren and step grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his four brothers and their wives; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

A memorial has been established at Countryside Hospice Support and Memory Center, 415 S Crow St, Pierre, SD 57501.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse