Donald W. Martin

Mr. Donald Wayne Martin of Rison, AR. passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was born June 6, 1945, in Clarendon, Arkansas, the son of Benny Mills Martin and Dorothy Wallace Martin. Mr. Martin was educated in Pine Bluff, AR, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1963. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving his country in the US Air Force. Mr. Martin was a commercial insurance agent in Pine Bluff working at Means & McClellan, Rebsamen, McNew, and First Arkansas Insurance Agencies. In January 1998, he opened the Martin McNew Agency and retired from the partnership in 2011. Upon his retirement, he threw himself into enjoying his many lifelong passions. After traveling throughout the Western U.S., he spent his time preparing delicious gourmet meals for family and friends, singing in his church choir, entertaining us all with a lively tune from his harmonica, completing projects around his home, and listening to his wife read as they drove. Never at a loss for something to do, Don was an accomplished artist, an avid gardener, and never lost interest in his childhood fascination with rocks, arrowheads, and all things found in the earth. His home was always open and his Thanksgiving meals were legendary. Don was an original member of the Meatmasters Barbeque Team, which won many trophies and awards throughout Arkansas. He was a longtime member and officer of the Pine Bluff Downtown Lions Club. He was a T-Ball and girls softball coach in Rison, and a member of the Rison United Methodist Church. Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents Benny and Dorothy Martin. He is survived by his wife Pamela England Martin of Rison, whom he married on April 7, 1990; three daughters, Ann Martin Gould of Ringgold, LA., Catherine Martin McKnight of Little Rock, and Dr. Rebecca (Dr. Grant Mathews) Martin, of Mt. Home; a step-daughter, Emily Robinson Killgore of Rison and a step-son, Michael (Lindsay) Robinson, of Rogers. Grandchildren, Dawson & Martin Gould, Luke & Kate McKnight, Kohler, Savannah, & Lily Mathews, Addison King and Cole Taylor; sisters Loretta Martin Green, of Nashville, TN, and Jan Martin Hodge, of Clarendon, AR; brother, Tommy Martin of Clarendon; uncles Bobby Martin and Billy Martin of Clarendon; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Rison United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Pearce officiating, and burial will be immediately after at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Rison United Methodist Church Friday, February 28, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Pallbearers are Randy Neal, Mark Attwood, Penny Pitchford, Trigger James and Paul Scarborough, Martin Gould and Dawson Gould. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Ed Attwood, John Hauge, Rick Raymick, Noel Bryant, and Lewis Releford. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR. 72202 or the Rison United Methodist Curch, P.O. Box 468 Rison, AR 71665. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison. (870) 325-6216. www.buiefuneralhome.com.