of Little Rock, AR
September 23, 1934 - March 2, 2014
Don Roland Fletcher, Sr., passed away March 2, 2014 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock.
Don was born September 23, 1934 in Sherrill, Arkansas to Thomas Lee and Beulah Enoch Fletcher. Eldest of six siblings, Don faithfully cared for each of them his whole life.
Don played football and graduated Mabelvale High School in 1952. He married Esther Bryant and moved to California, working for Langendorf Bakery while attending Cerritos College. Returning to Arkansas, in 1966, Don graduated Cum Laude from Little Rock University, (UALR), received his Bachelors Degree in accounting and his CPA.
Don began work for the City of Little Rock as City Auditor, then joined National Investors Life Insurance as Internal Auditor. Don joined Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corp and AECI as Controller, ultimately promoted to Assistant GM for Finances. Later Don became General Manager of Ashley-Chicot Elec. Coop in Hamburg, Arkansas, where he served many years until retirement. Afterwards, Don practiced as a CPA for many years helping clients, friends and family with accounting and tax needs.
With the passing of his son, Alan in 1969, Don organized a community wide effort, along side Little Rock Parks & Recreation Director, Julius Breckling, to acquire the purchase of property located at I-630 and Woodrow Street in Little Rock, which became "Fletcher Park", in Alan's honor. Don wanted to place the park where underprivileged communities would benefit. He was very giving to underprivileged as well as orphaned children having lost his father at age 12. Don had a framed thank you Award Certificate he received from Boys Town in his home which stated, "Thanks for giving us the shirt off your back". Don was a member of First Christian Church in Little Rock, where he served as deacon and taught Sunday School for more than ten years.
He loved his family and from the age of 12 helped care for his brothers and sister to the very end. Don enjoyed family, outdoors and fishing, played country league baseball for the Doughboys, journeyed to Alaska to see his family and to fish. Don traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua frequently with his work to help bring electricity to rural under served areas, made a road trip from Greece to Germany with his family, traveled to Mexico to fish with his son and family. Don loved to retreat to Hot Springs where he fished Lake Ouachita and found much joy following the horses.
Don is preceded in death by his beloved son, Alan Duane Fletcher, all of his younger siblings, brothers, Charles, David, Dan, Roy, Thomas Lee and sister, Juanita, and two great grandchildren, Cheyenne and Kluane Cordell.
Don is survived by his devoted friend and companion, Betty Wheeler of their home in Little Rock. Also his daughter Margie and husband, Dan Cordell of Wasilla, Alaska; son, Don Fletcher, Jr. (Donnie) and wife, Connie Fletcher of Little Rock and daughter, Shannon Fletcher of Little Rock.
Don was immensely proud of his grandchildren: Jamie Don, Amy, Adam and wife, Angela Cordell of Wasilla, Alaska; Micah and husband, David Rice, Abby, Casey and Caleb Fletcher of Little Rock, and Kagan Fletcher of Little Rock, Arkansas. Don has 12 great grandchildren, eight in Wasilla, Alaska and two in Little Rock and two now by his side in heaven.
Visitation will be held at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 I-30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 (501) 455-5800 on Thursday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. A Celebration of Don's life will be held at Roller-Drummond on Friday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m., burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery near Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
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17 Condolence(s)
Bucky Layne
Monday, March 10, 2014
So sorry to learn of your fathers passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Allison Owens
Friday, March 7, 2014
My prayers and condolences go out to the Fletcher family.
Sue M. Parsley
Friday, March 7, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the Fletcher family, Don hired me in 1973 at AECI and it was the best job I ever had. He was fun to be around and I feel I have lost a true friend. I regret that I am unable to attend the funeral today. My prayers are with the entire family.
Sue Parsley
Linda Roberts
Thursday, March 6, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the Fletcher family. I worked for Don at Arkansas Electric Cooperatives for several years and I'm sorry I will not be able to attend his services.
Melinda Vergona
Thursday, March 6, 2014
I will always remember Uncle Don with a smile on his face. He was a strong man who guided his siblings to always love their families first.
He was so encouraging and congratulatory of everyone's accomplishments. He had so many wonderful memories of growing up with my Daddy and his brothers and sister. I wish today I had listened to so many more, had learned so much more of my Dad's childhood. We are all blessed to have known him and loved him. He loved his family, it showed. God Bless you Uncle Don.
Jerry Varner
Thursday, March 6, 2014
I worked with Don for several years and found him to be a friend and a honorable man. My sympathy and prayers go out to his family and friends. Don will be missed by many.
Suzi Freeman
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Don & Connie, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
Shelly Stamps Leggieri
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Betty and family, the Fletcher family, we were saddened to hear about Don. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. I'm sure Don and Dad are catching up and discussing those horses. Don will be missed by many.
Shelly. Sissy and Kelly Stamps
Denise Thompson
Thursday, March 6, 2014
My Uncle Don was a kind, gentle, sincere man that meant the world to his family & friends! He will be missed!!!
I have fond memories of him as a child. He always had something for me from his trips to Costa Rica. I think I still have some coins he gave me from some of his trips.
To me he was the "glue" that kept his brothers & sister connected. He did a fine job making sure they were all taken care of after his mother passed away.
My heart finds joy in knowing that he is with family that went on before him and some sweet day we will all be together again!
My prayers & love for you all!!
Denise Thompson
jimmy martin
Thursday, March 6, 2014
no one was a better friend to me than don no one had harder time in their young teen life .don did not let hard ship slow him thank you for being my friend. jimmy
Carmen Baugh
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Our prayers go out to the Fletcher family. Uncle Don was such an amazing and giving man. I have such fond memories of the kindness and love I received from Uncle Don.
May you be comforted by God's overwhelming love during this sad time.
Rick Spurr
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Don and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Alred
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
My prayers are for God to comfort you at this time So sorry for your loss. May God Bless and comfort you.
Julia M. Woods
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
I would like to offer my sincere sympathy in your loss. Donald was an exceptional man. I worked with him at the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives many years ago. Julia McIntosh-Woods
Cathy Stamps Alley
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
To All of Don's Family,
My heart is very sad to learn of Don's passing. He was so loved and will be greatly missed. Not only was Don one of my dad's long time best friends, but his co-worker, CPA and horse racing buddy. Don was my very first office boss and always so kind and educating. Don was there at the bereavement services of both of my parents, Betty too. His thoughtfulness I will never forget. Margie, Donnie and Shannon, the years have gone by...... Deepest sympathy to all of you~ Love, Cathy Stamps Alley
Patricia Fletcher-Kester
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
My dear beloved Uncle Don. I can never find the words to let you know how much you and my other uncles and Aunt Juanita meant to us kids growing up. Hearing the stories told by you and the other uncles and aunt juanita about your childhood still keeps me amazed. The love each of you had for one another is something to always cherish. I loved knowing Friday was coming up during deer season because I ALWAYS knew memories were going to be made sitting around that old camp fire. Lots of laughs and good memories and to this day I still carry my lucky knife you gave me to help clean my deer. You will forever be missed Uncle Don but I am blessed to have had you the time we did. Love you Forever and Always.
Tricia Ann and Jeremy Maverick and Irelynn Kester
Patricia Fletcher-Kester
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
My dear beloved Uncle Don. I can never find the words to let you know how much you and my other uncles and Aunt Juanita meant to us kids growing up. Hearing the stories told by you and the other uncles and aunt juanita about your childhood still keeps me amazed. The love each of you had for one another is something to always cherish. I loved knowing Friday was coming up during deer season because I ALWAYS knew memories were going to be made sitting around that old camp fire. Lots of laughs and good memories and to this day I still carry my lucky knife you gave me to help clean my deer. You will forever be missed Uncle Don but I am blessed to have had you the time we did. Love you Forever and Always.
Tricia Ann and Jeremy Maverick and Irelynn Kester