Donald Thomas Rice was born July 15, 1934 at 11:05 am by Dr. Radusch at the old wooden Rapid City Hospital off 8th Street to Alvilda, ”Willie” (Anderson) and John Lewis Rice. He passed into the arms of our Lord Jesus on February 20, 2026, with family near at Westhills Village. He is survived by his wife Phyllis (Luedtke), his daughter TR and two sons, Wade and Daniel, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and one on her way. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Every time Donald T, “aka DT, Big Daddy Don, Mr. Twice as Nice for Half the Price, The Big Sandwich, The Big Cheese, The Big Shoe” was asked his date of birth, he would recite the date, time and place. He left behind a legacy as bold, colorful, and unforgettable as the life he lived.

His early years were in Rapid City until his father left with his new bride leaving Willie unable to support Don. He moved to Van Meter, SD to be raised by his grandparents and uncles. His time spent in the heart of South Dakota shaped Don’s life, work ethic, education and capacity to love. He had a thousand stories of his adventures on his grandparents (Anderson) ranch. In his youth, Don came to own many livestock and horses. Most likely you’ve heard the story of his bull named Do-Gooder and how he was a successful cowboy and rancher. Mowing lawns in Pierre was also very lucrative making $5000 his first summer. By 16, he was a successful cowboy, rancher and entrepreneur learning business grit, and independence that started it all. His grandparents passed and the ranch sold ending his dream of bronc riding with Casey Tibbs.

At 17, he returned to Rapid City for High School, stayed with his mother and used his savings to buy Willie her first car. He found employment at Krebs Conoco. That lit up the working machine mentality keeping multiple jobs at once at service stations and even a donut shop. That same year, he bought his first motorcycle, a 1947 Indian, traded it three weeks later for a 1948 Indian, took it apart, and rebuilt it the same day. Donald T was mechanically gifted, self-taught and fearless in his pursuit of success.

It wasn’t long before his “need for speed” launched a successful motorcycle racing career, earning accolades and state records that stood for years. With a leather jacket, a fast bike named Clyde, and a larger-than-life presence, many would later say Don was the closest thing Rapid City ever had to its own James Dean, cool, driven, and impossible to ignore. Never one to slow down, Don became a plumber, completing his apprenticeship in record time. His welding talents, mentored by Wade Acorn, led him to install massive boilers at Black Hills State College and weld on missile sites. In his spare time, he repaired motorcycles on the side - the beginnings of what would become Rice Cycle, started in the garage of the first home he built himself on Yucca Drive.

In the midst of his fast-paced life, he married Phyllis, his beautiful, brown-eyed girl in 1959. She lovingly would beknown as a “Saint of a Woman” for her understanding, compassion, patience and support through every adventure, challenge and dream. Together, Don and Phyllis built a legacy in powersports and automobiles that helped shape Rapid City’s business landscape. From early locations where Chili’s and Harold’s Prime Rib would later stand, to rebuilding after the flood on the big hill at Cambell and Omaha. Don never stopped pushing forward. Setbacks never defined him, rebuilding did.

The Rice home was a revolving door of family, friends and travelers worldwide who needed shelter and solace. Don & Phyllis were mentors to troubled youth and adults alike. They endured tremendous heartbreak with tragedy and soared with eagles when a life was turned around.

He was a life member of the American Motorcycle Association and the White Plate Flat Trackers. Don had a true love and passion for racing. He later purchased a sprint car and partnered with driver’s Sam and Bill Liebig, creating unforgettable Friday night memories at Black Hills Speedway.

Don was granted a lifetime membership to the plumber’s union and the Elks Lodge 1187. He was honored with the Rapid City Chamber’s Granite Award given to businesses that are an asset to the area who made significant contributions to elevate the region.

He became super duty Grandpa for six years when his grandsons played Post 22 baseball. He sold a record setting amount of $100 raffle tickets to friends and businesses for a newer team bus. It became apparent to all that it was far easier and much less painful to buy a ticket then tell Big Daddy Don no!

A true visionary ahead of his time, Don influenced industries in ways few people ever do. He persuaded local banks to open on Saturdays for working families, helped shape motorcycle design input for Honda, and supported the concept of in-house consumer financing. He held dealer licenses for Ducati, Norton, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph, Bombardier, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Spyder, Victory, Excelsior-Henderson, and more. He was also the first Toyota, Honda, and Renault automobile franchise holder in Rapid City. Don even dabbled in the RV business with campers from, Winnebago, Champion, and Titan. He built homes, ran dealerships, rented cars, operated trucking ventures, and even engaged in liquor retail. True to his nickname, “Mr. Twice as Nice for Half the Price,” Don would trade for just about anything, hay, potatoes, beans, and more cords of wood than anyone could count. He lived for the art of the “ten-corner deal” and the thrill of making things happen.

In 2011, his son Wade purchased the dealership. Wade, along with his parents’ beginnings and support paving the way, allowed Don to see the continued success of his life’s work. Don was blessed with the rare and proud opportunity to witness the continued growth of the family legacy, the construction of a new facility, the expansion to additional dealerships, and the next generation stepping into ownership. Few people get to see their life’s work grow beyond them, Don did. He often said, “You can’t push a chain,” and viewed his employees as graduates of what he called “Don Rice University.” He took immense pride in those who went on to build successful Powersports other businesses alike.

Dr. Beasly and staff were essential to his care and longevity. At Westhills, he was surrounded with love from all and blessed with the best team of extraordinary physicians, care givers and therapy professionals. Much gratitude is owed to his niece, Suzanne, a geriatric RN whose wisdom and insight guided TR to keep him at home as long as possible. 

Don didn’t fit into any mold. He was a dealmaker, a racer, a mentor, a visionary, and a character in the very best sense of the word. Donald T was known for his signature thumbs-up in photos and his unforgettable endless stories. Although he may not get to be a cowboy forever, one thing is certain, no one will forget him. He lived fast, loved deeply, dreamed big and left a legacy larger than life. All of Don’s successes were by God’s grace and supported by the family, employees, business associates and friends who stood beside him through every chapter. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who were part of his remarkable journey and for every prayer offered in his name.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27, at Open Bible Church, 2225 E Saint Patrick St. A funeral procession will lead to Mt. View Cemetery for the burial following the service. A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the James Kjerstad Event Center at the Central States Fairground.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Black Hills Works, The Boys & Girls Club, The Cornerstone Rescue Mission or your favorite charity.