Donald Halsey

Donald Keith Halsey, 81, of Garfield, Arkansas, passed away surrounded by his friends and loved ones, doing what he loved on September 23, 2017. He was born on July 9, 1936 in Conway Springs, Kan. to the late Leo and Alta Bates Halsey.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosemary Halsey of the home; his daughter Melinda (Jerry) Clemens of Topeka, Kan.; his grandchildren, Amber and Sara of Topeka; two sisters, Nancy Smith of Wichita, Kan., Letha Beery of Morrison, Colo.; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy; his parents; and two brothers, Don and Duane Halsey.

Don played sports and worked in his uncle’s body and fender shop and his granddad’s filling station while he was growing up. He went to work for Southwestern Bell as a lineman after graduating from high school. Don wed the love of his life on February 1, 1957.

Don served in the Army during the Korean Conflict.

Before his retirement, Don and his family camped and fished with many cherished friends. He played steel guitar throughout his life, building friendships throughout the musical communities of Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

He retired from SW Bell as a district engineer at the age of 53 after a fruitful career of 33 years. Don and Rosie enjoyed 27 years of retirement together at their lake home. He worked and played hard during retirement, building houses on Beaver Lake with a local builder, working on his own home, playing his steel guitar at events, and fishing almost every day. He loved it when his grandchildren were home to visit and got to enjoy the lake with him.

Don was a devoted husband, father, and friend, and he enjoyed sharing his love of hard work, music, and fishing with all his friends and family. He could fix anything and would drop everything to help friends and neighbors in need.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7 at the Whitney Mountain Chapel in Garfield, Ark. Lunch will follow at the Lost Bridge Village Community Center on Lodge Road, Whitney Mountain.

Memorial gifts may be made to the NEBCO Fire And Rescue Station at 14639 S Wimpy Jones Rd, Garfield, AR 72732.