Donald Martindale left his earthly body and joined his wife Johnnie Foster Martindale in the heavenly kingdom of God Almighty and Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 in Jacksonville. He was the son of the late Lester E. and Louise Strauss Martindale of Pontiac, MI.
His life is celebrated by his sons James Lester and Mina Martindale of New Lothrop, MI, Paul Donald Martindale of Anaheim, CA and David Allan and Ginia Martindale of Sherwood, AR. Also celebrating his life are his grandchildren, Sara Martin of Conway, Jason Martindale of Colorado Springs, CO, Brett Martindale of Blacksburg, VA, Rebeka Maloney of Houston, Hannah Nethken of Vermillion, SD, Stacy McMahan, and Amy Upchurch of Lavaca; and 15 great grandchildren, Ryan McMahan, Corey, Daniel, Tanler and Ty Brown, Haley, Jade and Cole Banning, and Braden, Dylan, Tristen and Paxton Maloney and Cheyenne Nethken and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Don was a great husband, Dad, teacher, and friend. He raised his three sons to put others first, regardless of the consequences. Doing what is right was the example he set. It cost him his job once, when he had a wife and 3 young boys to support. But he found work until something better came along. No task was to menial for him. He did what he had to do to provide and did it with dignity.
Not only a World War II Veteran, Don spent many years as a Scout Master to dozens of young boys in Macon Georgia and Vinton, Virginia. Teaching us and them by his example; always help others, be prepared, put others first, leave a place you visit cleaner and better than when you got there, return a borrowed item in better shape than when you borrowed it, always keep your word. He always said “there are only two things no one can take from you, your word and your education. Value them both because only you can lose them.”
Don worked for the US Forest Service for almost 30 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia and worked for many years on the Ouachita and St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas.
Please join his family in celebrating his life as we are filled with thoughts of joy, peace, and happiness. A graveside service and Don’s internment with full military honors will be on Friday, November 24th at 11:00 am at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith. Arrangements are in care of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.
4 Comments
Thank you for being such anawesome Dad. You taught me so much and your guidance got me to where I am today. I love you and am so happy that you and Mom are together again.
I will always remember Don for his sense of humor and most of all the story of the rose buds and hanging baskets, 🌹 My condolences to his family your daddy had and always will have a special place in my heart. I still have the video of him and I can remember well the day he shared his special joke with members of. Local news. Not only was he a fun guy but also very intelligent. He shared lots of tips on pruning trees etc properly and we used that advice to save a tree. He was a great and caring man. Donna Hester executive director Elmcroft of Sherwood
I loved getting to know him at the salon at Elmcroft! He had a joke every other week! I do remember one about hanging baskets!! He was always full of Joy!!
With deepest Sympathy! Praying for you in the homegoing of your father.
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