He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Anita Markham Alexander, his son Gregory Don (Debbie), grandsons Grayson Don and Gage Markham, his son Chris Darren (Terrah), grandson Rhys William, and a special sister-in-law Kathy Jolly.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Don provided more than 40 years of service to Arkansas agriculture, including 35 years at the Arkansas State Plant Board, leading the agency as Director for 7 years. In 2002, he was named Executive Vice President of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas. Don served on a number of state and national boards and associations. These included induction into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Boll Weevil Foundation Board, the State Fair Advisory Board, the Fire Ant Advisory Board, and as president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture. He received numerous awards including the Sturdy Oaks Award, the Southern Crop Production Association’s highest honor, the Don W. Beise Award, for service to agriculture and the ag chemicals industry, as well as the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s President’s Tribute for Distinguished Service.
He cherished his time spent with the Friday Night Dominos Gang and all of his hunting buddies in the Gunny Sack Hunting Club. As a young father, he became involved with the Bryant Optimist Club, also serving the City of Bryant as Alderman. During this time, he was an instrumental part of developing a grant for Alcoa 40 and developing Ashley Ball Park. During his time at Ashley Ball Park he touched many young men’s lives coaching baseball and many year-end fishing trips.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., Monday, January 25th, 2016 with services beginning at 10:00 a.m. at First Southern Baptist Church of Bryant, 604 S. Reynolds Road.
The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness show to them during this time. May God Bless you. Special thanks to UAMS oncology doctors and nurses and Saline Memorial Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to the Men’s Ministry at First Southern Baptist Church of Bryant.
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