Darwin L. Clyde

Darwin L. Clyde, age 74, of Garden City, SD, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the local hospital.  Funeral services will be Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD.  Pastor Steve Biswell will officiate. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Visitation will be Friday, May 31, 2024 at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD, from 5-7 p.m. 

Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in rural Henry, SD. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1054.  Pallbearers will be Bret McGillivary, Danny Knox, Ron Hartley, Darrell Stacey, Corey Dawson and Rick Hartley.

Darwin was born on September 2, 1949, in Watertown, SD to Gilbert and Donna (Knox) Clyde. He was raised on a farm and loved farm life and always had stories to tell of all the crazy things he and his two brothers did while growing up. He attended school in Clark, SD and graduated in 1967. In 1969, he was drafted into the Marines, and then stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he did radio repairs, served as an office manager, and escorted officers around camp. He was honorably discharged in 1971, and returned home to Clark. Shortly afterwards, he started renting a farm east of Garden City, SD.

In 1973, Darwin stopped by Brekke Chevrolet in Clark to buy a grain truck and was intrigued by the secretary there. Later, he looked for an excuse to stop by again, this time to buy a pickup, so he could speak to her again and find the courage to ask her out. After a short courtship, he would ask Wanda McGillivary to be his wife, and they were married in June of 1974. Later that year, they would buy the farm that they had been renting, and continue to reside there until present day. On the farm, they milked cows for over 35 years, raised pigs on and off throughout the years, but always had a herd of beef cattle. Together, they raised 5 children, who also have just as many crazy stories of farm life as their dad did.

Darwin was a proud veteran and believed in serving his country and his community. He was a vital part of the Garden City American Legion for several decades until the branch closed in 2014. At the time  of his death, he was a member of the Watertown American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America #1054, and the Marine Corp League. He was also a member of the Eden Township board for 37 years.

Darwin was known for being a man that could always be counted on when help was needed, and was always willing to step in to help however and whenever he could. He will be fondly remembered for always having a story to tell, his contagious laughter, and being stubborn and determined until the very end.

Survivors include his wife of almost 50 years, Wanda; his children: Timothy (Alyssa Schley) Clyde of Henry, SD; Jeffrey Clyde of Clark, SD; Heather Clyde of Fargo, ND; Michael (Andrea Binger) Clyde of Clark, SD; and Christy (Mitchell) German of Fargo, ND;  his brothers, Rodney Clyde of Aberdeen, SD, and Kevin (Beth) Clyde of Medora, ND; 1 grandson, Timothy Clyde Jr., 2 granddaughters, Raven Clyde and Peyton Clyde, and 1 great-grandson, Aiden Clyde, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother, Joseph.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

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