Don Rath

(This information was provided by Ilenne Rath Johnson)

After high school, Don went to Morningside College for one year. He learned more ways to party...a skill he never lost.

In January of 1963 we were married and soon after he joined the Air Force. After basic training in San Antonio he was stationed in Duluth, Minnesota. He worked in Air Traffic control. Our first child was born in Duluth, a son Kelly Wayne. In August of 1965 he was sent to Viet Nam where he served for one year. He never talked much about that year.

After his discharge (he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant) he returned home to very little available work. In January of 1966 we moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma (my hometown) and began working as a Purchasing Agent for a sheet metal shop. He did a lot of traveling with this job including working a Kentucky Fried Chicken convention in Las Vegas where we met the C. Sanders.. His company made equipment for KFC.

While in Tulsa, our second child was born...a daughter, Michelle Don'l.

We spent four years in Tulsa until the call of small town living called us back to Hinton. He worked with Larry Clark for two years. He found his final career at Fabricators Inc. as purchasing agent. In 1986 he along with another employee bought the company.

In 1979 our third child was born, a daughter Donnie Jane.

We had three children born in three different states. We never move out of state again.

Don continued to hunt, fish and play golf until illness stopped him. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002. He chose to try any kind of treatment they suggested...he wanted to see his grandchildren grow up. He was often seen driving Donnie's son (Bryley) around the neighborhood
in his red golf cart.

Helping with the Hinton golf course was a passion and he served as president of the board until the city took it over.

At the time of his death we had 5 grandchildren. They all still talk about Grampy.

A long life a short story. Don was 60 when he died, we had been married 40 years and I thank God for our time together. Don passed away at home in Hinton on July 3, 2003.