Donald Ray Kerrone (aka Don or D.R.), 93, Collinsville, Illinois, entered heaven on horseback March 2, 2022.

He married Doris Joan Moore in 1949 and they made their home in West Frankfort, Illinois for 22 years. To this union two daughters were born.

During this time, he accepted God as his Lord and Savior.

Later, he married Ionette Goedecke (aka Sis). They were married nearly 45 years at the time of Sis's death.

Don was a lifelong horseman, first galloping thoroughbreds right out of high school, then becoming a trainer. Willie Shoemaker rode for him as a bug-boy.

He was celebrated in 2014 for being the only trainer in the world for having winning thoroughbreds each year for 61 consecutive years; he still continued to train. Fairmount Park honored Don by having a Don Kerrone Stakes Race and Don Kerrone Day.

Although a thoroughbred trainer, he said two of the greatest horses he ever saw were World Champion Cutting Horses Poco Bueno and Poco Lena.

Don raced at Cahokia Downs in Alorton, Illinois; Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois; Hawthorne, Arlington, and Sportsman Park in Chicago, Illinois; Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas; Gulfstream Park in Florida; Louisiana Downs in Louisiana; Waterford Park in West Virginia; and points in between.

He was known for his horsemanship, honesty, integrity, caring and down-to-earth manner. He would tell things the way they were. The horses were always his first priority.

He will be missed by family and friends.

He remembered with great fondness his wonderful friends and especially those who took care of him and Sis in their latter years, including Ardell and Jan Joseph, Jair Diego, Kim Sampson, Dawn Martin, Marvin Gass, Nancy McClain, and others who asked not to be named.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sis; his parents, Thomas and Hazel Kerrone, Brothers Thomas (Tommy) Harold Kerrone, and Paul (Duffy) McDuffy Kerrone.

Don is survived by his daughters Joan Dee Haun, Ponca City, Oklahoma and Cathy Ray Richey, a grandson, Reggie (Jaimie) Shelton, two great granddaughters, Jayla Shelton and Kayla Shelton, West Frankfort, Illinois; brother-in-law Ted Goedecke and his wife, Nell.

A Cowboy's Prayer

Our Gracious and Heavenly Father, we pause in the midst of this occasion
mindful and thoughtful of the guidance that you have given us.

As cowboys, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors.
We ask only that you let us compete in this arena,
as in life's arena.
We only ask that you help us to compete as honest
as the horses we ride
and, in a manner as clean and pure as the wind that blows across this great land of ours.

So, when we do make that last ride that is inevitable for all of us to make,
to that place up there where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high,
and water runs clear, cool, and deep –
you'll tell us as we ride in –
that our entry fees have been paid.

These things we ask in your name. Amen.