Don Clayton Word

BELVIDERE — Don Clayton Word was born the second son of Don G. and Phyllis A. (Iwan) Word, on August 29, 1958, in Kadoka, South Dakota. He attended school in Belvidere and Kadoka, graduating from Kadoka High School in 1976. He attended South Dakota State University in 1978-1979, then returned home to help ranch with his dad. Don was united in marriage to Teri B. Jeffords on November 1, 1980, at the Kadoka Presbyterian Church. They continued to live and work on the ranch all their married life. Don served as an elder for the Belvidere Church. He was a Jackson County 4-H beef leader, and an active member of the Black Hills Stock Show Board of Directors. Raising Maine-Anjou cattle and taking his children to shows while developing their interest in livestock was something that he truly enjoyed. Showing cattle was always a family affair for Don. Don was a loving husband, a cherished father, and an affectionate son and brother. As time and people changed around him, Don always stood by the code which his father had passed down to him, a genuine love and respect for the land around him. He loved his job and invariably was a pure cowboy. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Teri Word of Belvidere; three daughters, Audra Word, Laura Word, and Elizabeth Word, all of Belvidere; a son, Clayton Word of Belvidere; his mother, Phyllis A. Word of Kadoka; three brothers and their families, Grady R. Word and his wife Kelli and daughter Keenie of Hermosa, David H. Word, his wife Mary and sons Murdock and Roman of Pierre, and John W. Word, his wife Pamela and daughters Mackenzie and Sydney of Kadoka; his father in-law, Steve Jeffords of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends. Don Clay was preceded in death by his father, Don G. Word, on February 13, 1995, and his mother in-law, Carol Jeffords, on May 14, 2002. Don Clayton Word went home to be with the Lord on June 24, 2003, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife Teri; his three daughters, Audra, Laura and Elizabeth; his son Clayton; and his mother, Phyllis Word. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating. Private family interment will take place at a later date. Rush Funeral Chapel of Kadoka is in charge of arrangements. A memorial is established.