Donald Gene Bagley (AKA Grandpa) passed away on December 17, 2024, at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center. Don was born July 4, 1939 in Madison, SD to Laverne Bagley and Greta (Thorsness) Bagley. Growing up with three brothers provided him with many colorful stories from their childhood. As a boy he spent time playing sports and pheasant hunting with his brothers, activities that he enjoyed for many years. He graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Navy for four years before returning home to South Dakota.
He married his love and partner, Karen Anderson, in 1963. The couple remained in Madison until Don graduated from Dakota State College with his teaching degree. They started their family there, and then Don began his long teaching and coaching career. He taught in Emery and Hitchcock before moving to Newell in 1974, where he and Karen raised their family.
Don taught a variety of subjects for high school and middle school while also coaching football, basketball, and track. He was a well-respected and much-loved teacher and coach and was fortunate to be able to coach his children, Jackie and Dan, as well as grandchildren, Shelby and Taylor. Don also taught driver’s education in Newell, even past his retirement, and probably taught half the population of Butte County to drive.
Don was a football fan, especially of his Minnesota Vikings. Most Sundays would find him watching them, often with family members. He also spent many falls pheasant hunting East River with his brothers and other family members. He enjoyed fishing, and when his brother, Bob, moved to Orman Dam, they spent countless hours on the lake.
Grandpa Don was very involved with his three grandchildren, Shelby, Taylor, and Caitlyn. He rarely missed a school activity or sporting event, always providing encouragement from the sidelines. His home was always open to them and their friends.
Don was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help, family, friends, and neighbors. You could count on him for anything. Since they were such fixtures in the school and community, his and Karen’s home was a hot spot at Halloween, attracting over 200 trick-or-treaters every year.
After retirement, Don was a regular at the Newell Fitness Center, and worked out regularly, including at his retirement home in Rapid City. He also enjoyed spending time with his best buddy, Remington, his miniature Daschund.
Don is survived by his daughter, Jackie Bagley (Cocoa Dietrich), Spearfish; granddaughter Shelby (David) Frederiksen, Rapid City; grandson Taylor Smith, Rapid City, granddaughter Caitlyn Bagley (Scott Chipman), St. Cloud, MN; great-grandchildren Quinn and Bennett Frederiksen (Rapid City); brother Dick (Scharell) Bagley, Lewisville, TX; brother John (Ula) Dean, Tampa, FL; sister-in-law Sharon Bagley, Arvada, CO; daughter-in-law Robin Englehart-Bagley, Sturgis, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; infant daughter, Marcia; son, Dan; brother, Bob, as well as his parents and grandparents.
The family and close friends are holding graveside services at Black Hills National Cemetery at 10 am, January 17, 2025.
You may sign his online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
