Donald "Don" L. Martin

Don as many people referred to him had suffered a long illness and had been in Hospice care.

Don was born on May 24th, 1945 at St. Edward Hospital in Ft. Smith.

He grew up in Mansfield and later moved to Ft. Smith. He married Jane Anne McDaniel of Ft. Smith on August 26, 1966 at a small family ceremony. They were married for nearly 59 years.

He worked for Acee Milk Company and Belle Point Beverages in Ft. Smith.

He was recently retired from Belle Point Beverages (Budweiser Distributorship) where he worked for 43 years. He was well-liked and always put his customers first.

Don loved watching westerns on television and visiting historical western towns across the United States. He and Jane took several trips out west including Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.

He loved the Razorbacks and looked forward to watching football, basketball and baseball games. Win or lose, he always called the Hogs.

Don was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Jane; two children, Kelly Dawn Kemp-McLintock of Springdale and Gregory Donald Martin of Ft. Smith; five grandchildren Gunnar Parks Kemp of Sarasota, Fl., Grace Anne Kemp of Springdale, Emily Taylor Kemp of Springdale, Payton Brantly Martin of Bonanza and Phoenix Marie Martin of Hackett; his sister Shirley Sue Glidewell of Lavaca and nephew Bobby Don Glidewell of Lavaca.

The family would like to personally thank Dr. Christiaan Slabbert and his wonderful staff as well as the Hospice - Baptist Health medical team for their excellent care over the years.

A funeral service is planned for 2PM on Monday, August 19th at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. A private family graveside service will immediately follow. The employees of Belle Point Beverages will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

Don was a member of Goddard United Methodist Church in Ft. Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Goddard United Methodist - Food Distribution Center, 1922 Dodson Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901, or go to www.goddardumc.org.