June 26, 1956 — August 16, 2020
Funeral services for Donald Metcalf, 64, of Eagle Butte were held Monday, August 24, 2020 at the Faith Community Center in Faith. Cremation will take place after the services.
Donald passed away Sunday, August 16, 2020 at the Eagle Butte IHS Hospital. Arrangements are with Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
The swaying grasses and gentle hills of rural South Dakota welcomed Donald Wayne Metcalf into this world on June 26, 1956. Growing up in Red Scaffold, he spent a great deal of his younger years on John and Bertha Hump’s ranch on Cherry Creek, where he learned to speak fluent Lakota, hunt for deer, and developed his love for riding horses. He learned how to put a good handle on a horse and how to handle livestock from his uncles.
“Donald Duck” attended school in Red Scaffold and Eagle Butte and in 1974, he joined the US Marine Corps and served his country with honor. He moved to the Seattle, WA area in 1979 where he was a butcher for Bar-S Foods. He became an avid bowler, coached a softball team to many tournament victories, and drove truck for Mayflower. He made peace with the mountains and Pacific Ocean; however, he longed for the land he grew up on.
In 1991, he left the West Coast and headed home. Upon returning home, “Uncle Donnie” lived life on the highway for a time seeing most of the continental US on 18 wheels, eventually settling down to drive school bus for the Tiospaye Topa School. While living in White Horse, he became an active member of the Episcopal congregation. He was affectionately called “Grandpa Don.”
Don was very active in the Episcopal church. Don was Sargent of Arms of the Niobrara Council from 2004 to the present. He was elected to the Standing Committee from 2009-2013. He was appointed by the Bishop to sit on the Diocesan Council in 2013. Don was on the TEC board beginning in 2013 and was elected General Convention Deputy 2010-2021. Don was Itanchan for the Cheyenne River Mission 2004-2016 and was elected to Brad Hauff’s advisory board for Winter Talk 2020.
Don was a man of great integrity and spoke aloud what was on his mind and in his heart. He loved listening to country music, cracking jokes, enjoyed chatting about a game of football or basketball, and had stories on top of stories that he liked to share with everyone. He always offered a helping hand, he thrived on giving to others, and shared his love for God, being a man of action in showing compassion for others. He was a man of strong will and held a strong love for family, friends, and human kind in general. He made friends everywhere he went.
On Sunday, August 16, 2020, “Uncle Donnie” was at the Gunville Ranch relaxing and catching up with friends. As he looked out across the country, he said out loud, “It really is peaceful here...” and quietly went onto his next journey. He had a profound effect on everyone he met and the number of friends he had are too numerous to mention.
Don is survived by sisters, Marlene Little Star and Laura High Bear; daughter, Dawn (Tina) Metcalf; grandchildren, Jacob, Isaac, Samuel, and Shiloh Detert; and many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and good friends.
He is preceded in death by grandparents, John and Bertha Hump; parents, Stanley and Charlotte (Garfield) Metcalf; brother Francis Metcalf; daughter Shilo Metcalf; niece MaryLou Little Star; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and good friends.