Donald Edward "Doon the Goon" Rodgers
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 4D - January 10, 2021
Donald Edward Rodgers
(Doon the Goon) was born in
Marlow, OK, on October 5,
1935, to Leo and Euleta Rodgers.
He spent his early childhood in
Oklahoma, and Wyoming, and
moved to California where he
attended Jordan High School in
Long Beach. He was a member
of the football and track teams
in school and was always known
for his size and his big head. He
graduated in 1954.
He joined the Marine Corps
after high school serving at
Camp Pendleton and Twentynine
Palms Marine Corp base.
After he was honorably
discharged from the Marine
Corp he attended Long Beach
Community College where he
played football and tried out for
the Los Angeles Rams.
He married Beverly Elizabeth
Sweet in Lakewood, CA, on October 17, 1959. After getting
married the couple moved to Montrose, CO, where Don drove a fish
delivery truck for the Silver Springs Trout Farm. Times were tough
and money was tight so they moved back to Lakewood, CA where
Don worked for Richfield Oil Company. They lived in California
long enough for their two boys, Curt and Matt, to be born and then
the whole family relocated to Grand Junction, CO in early 1973.
Don worked at Wheeling Steel for a few years before landing
a job with the City of Grand Junction where he worked until his
retirement. He was a friend to all and always enjoyed speaking to
neighbors and friends.
He coached Little League baseball and enjoyed his garden,
bowling, golfing and hunting. He was always open to having friends
over or going visiting on the weekends. Mom kept him pretty busy.
He is survived by his brother, Jim (Jan) Rodgers of Bend, OR;
sons, Curt (Brenda) Rodgers of Grand Junction, CO, and Matt
(Kathy) Rodgers of Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren, James,
Steven, Jacob, and Wyatt; great-grandchildren, Harvey, Calvin and
Theo, along with numerous nephews, and step-father, Rex Shaffer
of Sunsites, AZ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Euleta; wife,
Beverly, and brother, Paul.
Don enjoyed 85 years on this earth and lived his life being friends
with everyone. He would always tell every lady at any gathering
that she was the prettiest one in attendance. And if you were lucky
enough to be his friend then you were probably given the finger
which was his way of telling you he liked you.
No services are planned at this time but a celebration of life will
be held this summer. Don would not want a service that friends and
old coworkers could not attend.
Thank you to Grand Valley Hospice and HopeWest for their
outstanding care.
