When Mike called me on a Friday morning from Tucson and delivered the devastating news about Don, I had to have him repeat it. “Don Rhyne? Our Don Rhyne?” I asked. That’s how we always think of him…he’s our friend, he’s part of our racing family, and we will always hold him in our hearts. We regard Don with the highest respect, and will miss him terribly. It’s rare to meet people like Don and Gerry, to be so gracious, generous and kind should be an inspiration to all of us.

Last summer at the Sonoma National Event, as I walked laps around the road course, Gerry gave me a pedometer so I could keep track of how far I was going, and Don kept waving me on. I saw them every lap I made. As the weekend wore on and Mike had the good fortune to make the show, Don came up to our pit to offer encouragement and ask if we needed any help with anything; that was just his way. And when we took the win light in the final round, Don was the first person I saw in the winner’s circle…he was almost as happy as Mike and I were, and we have the picture to prove it. I will never forget that day, and now it will be all the more memorable for reasons I just can’t seem to articulate very well.

Don is one of the finest people we have ever met, and while we don’t know him as well as some, we feel truly fortunate to have known him all that we did. Godspeed, Don.

Barb and Mike Ferderer
Mike Ferderer Racing

Whenever he went out of town on racing or hunting trips you could always count on him to call in, once or twice, twenty or thirty times a day.  “Hey Deb, what’s up, anything new, anything I should know about, was always the first thing out of his mouth.  We would chat awhile about his trip and how it was going.  How was the weather, and was he having a good time. He would make sure I knew the work agenda for that week and then he would say, ok, have a nice day, talk to ya later.  I really miss those calls. 

Don loved kids, he always made a point to say hi and joke around with any kids that would be in the shop whether it was a client that stopped by or any of  the Don Rhyne employees that were in the shop with their kids.  He loved to tell jokes.  Sometimes he would hear a joke and then come into the front office and say “I’ve got a joke to tell you girls”.  Then he would look at Sandi and I and say “No, I can’t tell it to ya”, well ok I will”, are you sure you want to hear it?  Then he would tell us and we would all laugh. 

 
This is all so hard to believe, that he won’t be calling me anymore to check in and he won’t be returning from this racing trip.  I will never forget you Don, you will be in my heart and my thoughts forever. 

Rest in Peace
Debbie 

I miss you already - Rest In Peace - 15 years ago, May 29, 1988, you came into my life, it was a most wonderful day.  Today I consider you my brother, my friend, my partner, my confidant.  You made my life even more wonderful than it had ever been before.  You were such a caring person and you lived your life to make everyone around you happy.  You found happiness in your cars, I wish you could have stayed to enjoy them even more but you were called to a more important mission.  They needed someone who did it all to the best it could be done.
 
I'll miss you Don and all of our fishing, hunting, working and just plain fun times we've had.  The long serious talks I will miss and the company planning meetings.  I promise you today and for the rest of my life, that I will keep Don Rhyne Painting Co., working to remain one of the best painting companies in the area.  Quality and service are what brought us here and that will continue.  The name will always be my reminder of one of my very best friends.  I'll do my best to make Gerry's life comfortable for you, with the special planning you always did she will be fine. 
 
I'll always remember you and think of you often.
 
Rest in Peace
John Krieg

Donnie is my nephew and I can not tell you the loss and void we all have from his not being , I was going to put "here" , but trust me he is with every one who was lucky enough to have our lives touched by him.

It was our good fortune to have met Don and Geri Rhyne at the state of the 2002 racing season. Don was always interested in what we were doing and was very supportive of us and those around him. He was a great sportsman and helped promote drag racing everywhere he went.

We were looking forward to spending time with him and Geri during this next racing season. He will be dearly missed by so many. Our deepest sympathies go out to Geri and her family. We are all better for having had Don in our lives.

The Compton Family Boise, ID

I was so saddened to hear about the loss of Don, what a shock to the racing world. It really hits home when I come from a racing family (Horsley family) and married into a racing family (Fricke family). One thing I do know, is every racer will tell you that when it's their time to go they want it to be doing what they love - racing. God must have needed a great guy that day.

I had met Don only a few times and what a very nice, caring, man. I remember those hot summer days at the race track we would take my little boy, Bailey, to see the POS race cars and the racing teaming. Don would let my family take the kids into his trailer to hang out with their uncle Rob (POS racer) and cool off from the heat. We knew we could take the kids to Don's trailer when they needed to cool down. My brother, Rob Horsley, had been on Don's POS racing team for almost three years and had spent a lot of time with him. It was great that the Rhyne's treated my brother like family, since Rob lived away from his family. I always knew that around holidays or birthdays if we couldn't be with my brother he could go out to the Rhyne house, their door was always open for him. Don and Geri had sold me their Tahoe a couple years ago and of course it was up to the Rhyne code (it was neat and clean as can be). This past week every time I get into my car I think about him, and I pray for his family. We know Don is in a wonderful place, but those left behind will miss him dearly. Thank you Don for all that you have done, we will see you soon.

Lori Horsley-Fricke
Pasco, Washington

I met Don because we were in the same business, paint contracting. It is an interesting business where you meet many people from many walks of life. Probably not unlike racing. It is one of the possitives. Meeting Don, getting to know him and calling him my friend was an honor. We recently had lunch, played cards and talked, we hugged as he left my home. He was truly a good, caring, giving human being whom I admired very much. I and our industry will miss Don Rhyne.

Steve Schiller

Donnie is my nephew and I can not tell you the loss and void we all have from his not being , I was going to put "here" , but trust me he is with ever one who was lucky enough to have our lives touched by his.

I have known Don since he and Gerri were dating and through the years. I will always remember his generosity and remember the race in Salt Lake City
a few years ago. We had the worst thunder storm I have ever seen, and Don gave me one of his Racing jackets for POS racing team so I wouldn't get drenched...(Will never forget Don telling me what POS stood for) .... well, when I tried to get the jacket back to him on a trip to Portland he said he wanted me to have the jacket... I will keep it always. Don was always very warm towards me and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for those he cared about. Christmas at the Rhyne residence this past year and the look in Don's eyes when he held his Grand child ......I will miss Don. Gerri is Lucky to have all of their racing friends around her at this difficult time. My heart goes out to Gerri, Chris and Don's Family. We all love you Gerri.

Sincerely
Julie Hession

As some of you may or may not know Don was the chairman of the Area I Painter Apprenticeship program. I will never forget the first time I met Don in March of 1993. I had just started working at the office where the painter apprenticeship program was administered. Don walked into the office and there were a couple union people in the lobby ready to hassle him. They were yelling back and forth. I was sure he was going to hit one of them. I was scared to death. I remember him introducing himself and apologizing to me. Through the years we joked about our first meeting and still he always apologized. Of course since that day I have also found Don to be one of the kindest people I have ever met. He „was‰ the apprenticeship program. When the program was low on funds he wrote a sizable check. He would always call and see if there was anything we needed. He gave Julie and I a tour of his painting shop, beautiful racing cars and his home along with the backyard that he hoped to make into a mini park for his grandchildren some day. He was so proud of his accomplishments but never wanted any recognition. Don I will think of you often. I will never forget your generosity, kindness and passion for life. As you and Cody looked down on us today at the service I hope you finally realized what a special man you were and how many friends you truly had.

Marianne-Area I Painters

For Don..... I haven't seen you in awhile yet I often imagine all your expressions. I haven't spoken to you recently but many times I hear your thoughts. Good friends must not always be together it is the feeling of oneness when distant that proves a lasting friendship