Donald, a native of Greely, Nebraska, came to Humboldt County as a toddler with his parents, Cecil C. and Mary H. (Snell) Noble during the depth of the Great Depression. Except for a 4-year stint in the Navy during the Korean War — as a Landing Signal Officer (L.S.O.) aboard an aircraft carrier — Don never left Humboldt.

Don was by any measure an intellectual man with many U.S. Patents and Copyrights acquired over the years. During his early career he was a fireman on Pacific Lumber Company’s locomotive Number 29. He moved on to join the fleet of trucks hauling from Big Lagoon to Samoa as a driver — nearly all freeway — which gave him the “alone” time he needed to pursue his inventions. He spent 25 years each with Redwood Construction and Louisiana Pacific.

Some of his favorite times were spent riding motorcycles. He enjoyed the freedom riding into the wind with his buddies, members of his bike club “Old Coots on Scoots,” all of whom for his 86th birthday with a monogrammed club vest. “Best damn birthday I ever had,” was his comment. Don also liked the football pool that his “little brother” ( Jack ) put him on at the Playroom in Fortuna every week for several years.To his delight he won over and over, to the chagrin of the local patrons. He would sit on his porch waiting for the postman with his winnings.

Though Don’s body was failing, his mind was not.He was firing on all eight cylinders when he passed. In a letter to Motorcycle Magazine, Don wrote:

I’m an 85-year-old disabled vet.from the Korean War era. My first bike was an 80-inch flat head “Bober.” So much fun. I noticed the vibration of such a rough ride. My legs gave out and I had to step off 10 years ago. I still enjoy reading your magazine and thank you for that. Enclosed is a poem I put together of the nostalgic return of an old biker to the long abandoned haunts:

OLD COOT

BACK TO THE SIGHT OF OUR ROADHOUSE
A RIDE FROM YEARS AWAY
A FADED FORSAKEN TAVERN
IT WAS OUR CABARET

THE SCREEN DOOR GRATES ON ITS HINGES
THE FLOOR IS OLD AND GRAY
WIND MOANS THROUGH PANES LONG BROKEN
BLOWING SPIRITS INTO PLAY

A CRACKLE OF DEMONIC LAUGHTER
AS IF FROM A TOMB
RAUCOUS RIFFS OF JUBILEE
BEGIN TO FILL THE ROOM

IT’S A  GHOST OF THE RIDERS ROUND-UP
ALL THE TROOPS ARE HERE
THERE’S DIRTY DAVE AND HOBO JOE
EVEN SHE IS NEAR

I FEEL HER DANCING WITH ME
CATCH THE FRAGRANCE OF HER HAIR
YET ALL I’M DESPERATELY CLUTCHING
IS HIGH PLAINS AIR.

Don is survived by his wife, Saundra, who fondly remembers the night she walked into a honky tonk in Rio Dell and laid eyes on the best looking, best dressed man and asked him to dance. That was good, she said, and I knew then that he was the man for me. Fifty-eight years later, it is still true.

He also leaves his step-daughter Kolleen Butler and her son, Talon; daughters Nina (Bruce) Sellen of Scotia and Susan Benjamen of Aurora, Colorado; grandsons: Art Aine Jr., Paul Carlson, Thomas Bishop Jr.; brother Jack (Mary) Noble and nephews David Noble Brad Noble and nieces Kathy Cooper and Deborah Noble. Also dear friend Cathy Lacroix.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ceci and Mary Noble, daughter Sharon Noble and stepson Keith Butler.

A memorial service will be held at Goble’s — 560 12th Street, Fortuna, on Friday, July 12, 2019, at 2 p.m.

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