James “JD” Noonan, age 78, of Huron, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. His Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Zell, SD. Visitation with the family present was on Tuesday, September 3rd from 5-7 pm at Welter Funeral Home with a scripture prayer service beginning at 6:30 pm; and visitation one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church on Wednesday. Visit www.welterfuneralhome.com
  James Dennis Noonan (JD) was born July 14, 1946 to Stephen and Sarah (Finnerty) Noonan in Redfield, SD. JD was the youngest of four children and grew up on the family farm near Frankfort, SD. From an early age, he cherished memories of working with his father and Uncle Armbose hauling grain to Frankfort and pigs to Armours in Huron. "Dennis" attended school in Frankfort and Redfield before transferring to Huron after Redfield's redistricting, where he graduated from Huron High School in 1964. JD continued his education at South Dakota State University.
JD moved to California in the late 1960s, residing in Yorba Linda for 18 years. There, he welcomed his children Nykole and Steve and had a successful career in the car business as a Ford sales manager and later as an independent broker, transporting vehicles between California and South Dakota.
In 1985, JD returned to South Dakota, beginning a nearly 40-year trucking career. He worked with Paige Brothers (Desmet), G&H (Huron), Lloyd Bultsma (Sioux Falls), T&E Enterprise (Huron) and primarily NTA (Huron), where he spent the last decade of his career and met his wife, Shelley. They married on June 7, 1997, and welcomed their son, James Patrick (JP), in 1996.
Throughout his career, JD logged over 3 million miles, often expressing that he felt the best in his truck. He trucked until just three weeks before his hospitalization, embodying a strong work ethic and dedication to his family. JD also enjoyed sprint car races, pheasant hunting, and a cold Coors Banquet. He was wise, witty, and a good man at heart.
JD is survived by his wife Shelley (Huron); children Nykole Trotti (Santa Barbara, CA), Steve Noonan (Las Vegas, NV), JP (Chloe) Noonan (Sioux Falls), and Chris (Jennefer) Erickson (Huron); grandchildren Mackenzie (Chance) Olson (Belle Fourche), Carlie Erickson (Summerset), and Maci Erickson (Sioux Falls); great-grandchildren Aiden and Myles Olson (Belle Fourche); sister Dianne Owens (Lompoc, CA); and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother David Noonan; sister Mary Lea Aubuchon; and sister- and brother-in-laws Abigail Noonan, Alan Aubuchon, and Frank Owens.