"Donald Reuben “Don” Tadlock, 86, of Fort Smith, AR passed away September 21, 2020, in Fort Smith, AR. He was born in Sulphur, OK September 17, 1934 to the late Reuben Tadlock and Myrtle Tadlock Stanley.
Don graduated from Van Buren High School in 1952, where he proudly played cornet in the Van Buren Marching Band, which he continued to enjoy playing throughout his life. Following high school, he attended Ouachita Baptist University. After graduating from college in 1956, he served in the United States Army. He often joked that, fortunately, “he only battled mosquitos & gnats” while stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He retired from Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation after 40 years of employment. He was an avid weekly bowler for many years at Midland Bowl rarely missing a game with his team.
He was a lifelong member of Spradling Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he served as a deacon and enjoyed singing in the choir. Spradling is also, where as a teenager he met and later married his bride of 61 years, Verlene Weems, They were married April 25, 1959, and had two daughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and stepfather, Dan Stanley.
He is survived by wife, Verlene, of the home; daughter Sharon Tadlock of Van Buren; daughter Amy Williams and husband Aaron of Alma, brother Danny Stanley, and wife Connie of Fort Smith; 12 grandchildren, Ashley Shirey and husband Mason, Blake Dobbins and wife JoBeth, Caleb Dobbins, and Darien, Emberlynn, Joshua, Kyle, Aleeze, Leah, Issac, Bright, and Fierce Williams; two great-grandsons, Gavin and Rowan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
Funeral service will be held 10am Monday, September 28, at Spradling Baptist Church, in Fort Smith, followed by interment at 11am at the National Cemetery.
Viewing will be Sunday, 10am-5pm with family present from 2-4 at Edwards Funeral home in Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be Blake & Caleb Dobbins, Joshua & Kyle Williams, Gavin Moore and Mark Weems. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Spradling Baptist Church and his VBHS class of 1952 reunion group members."
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Spradling Baptist Church, 3515 North 50th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72904.
