Donald "Don" Francis Waggoner

Donald (Donny) Francis Waggoner, 92, of Yuma, Arizona, passed away on March 21st, 2023 surrounded by family. 

Donny was born on May 15th, 1931 to Ernest and Margaret Waggoner in Fort Yates, North Dakota, on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. As a son of a Lakota man and an Irish woman, Donny had to navigate the many challenges of being mixed race. “It was hard for me, but you have to get yourself above that. You have to work harder at school, sports, and labor to prove yourself to white people. The harder you push, the more likely you are to succeed. It’s difficult because some people look down on you for being Native American. I couldn’t let that get in my way.” 

After Donny graduated from Lemmon High School in 1949, he went on to study business at San Jose City College in Southern California. Donny graduated with a degree in accounting, and soon his hard work came to fruition when he pursued a career as a master mechanic, and went on to work for the union. Donny was able to travel frequently while expanding his education in heavy equipment operations and mechanics. His thriving career landed him in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he played an essential role in the excavation and development of the Dalton Highway, which was the main supply route for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. “I always enjoyed my job. It was hard to be away from home at times, but I liked traveling and learning new things,” Donny said. 

Not only did Donny have an interesting career, but he also served in the military from 1952 to 1954 as a clerk typist for the Army in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. In the brief time of his military service, Donny achieved the rank of E-4 and became a corporal, then was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves for another four years. His experience in the Army taught him perseverance and discipline. As a veteran, Donny found friendship and camaraderie through veteran organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sunnyside, Washington. 

In 1952, Donny married Audrey Johnson in Lemmon, South Dakota. Odelia, Donny’s sister, introduced the two, who quickly fell fast for one another. The young couple went on to have four children, Debra, Sheila, Gregory, and Teresa. After some hardship and several decades apart, Donny and Audrey reunited and remarried later in life, on October 10th, 2016 in Vancouver, Washington. Audrey passed away on November 21st, 2022. 

After devoting his life to his work and providing for his family, Donny decided to retire from the union in 1984. A new life emerged for him, and after spending time with his sister Aurelia’s best friend, Donda, he was taken aback by her buoyant beauty and personality. Donny married Donda Saeger on June 17th, 1983 in Sunnyside, Washington. Donny became a step-father to Donda’s son’s Glen and Merrill, and the couple later had a daughter, Elizabeth. Donda was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, and after a difficult battle, passed away on December 22nd, 2001. Donny was devastated after the death of his wife, but found support and comfort through the love of his family. 

In Donny’s later life, he owned and operated his business, Don’s Equipment and Repair, in Sunnyside, Washington for nearly 30 years. Combining his skills as a mechanic with his education in business, he enjoyed buying, repairing, and selling heavy equipment for the local farms in the Yakima Valley. Having his own business gave him the flexibility and freedom to spend time with his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, as she grew into a young woman. 

After officially retiring, Donny enjoyed having quality time with his children and his wife, Audrey; time he felt he didn’t get earlier in his life because of his busy career. On Veteran’s Day, 2017, he suffered a severe neck injury that temporarily and partially paralyzed him. Despite the injury Donny maintained a positive outlook on life. “I do feel content. I’ve had some setbacks in my life that I’ve lived through. Divorce is painful. The death of my wife was painful. But I think I did alright.” Donny was most loved for his sense of humor; his roasting of other people, gentle teasing, hilarious tricks, and wonderful laugh and smile. 

Donny was predeceased by his wife Audrey, wife Donda, sister Aurelia, niece Cynthia, and his parents, Ernest and Margaret. 

Donny is survived by his children, Debra, Sheila, Gregory, Teresa, and Elizabeth; stepsons, Glen and Merrill; siblings, Gary, Odelia, and Monty; son-in-laws Cliff and Martin; daughter-in-law Lori; nieces Julie, Nancy, Lori, Nichole, Wanda, Kathleen, Tracy, and Jill; nephews James, Steven, Wendell, and Jason; great niece, Kaitlin; grandchildren, Jason, Darren, Dustin, Travis, Maggie, Ashley, Michael, Kyle, Isaiah, Makiya, Maxine, Zeke, and his sixteen great-grandchildren.

Viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with recitation of Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. Funeral will be Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA with burial to follow at Sunnyside Cemetery, Sunnyside, WA.In lieu of flowers, the Waggoner family requests donations be made to National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center or the Native American Veterans Association.  Those wishing to sing Don’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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