Donald C. Shope

Donald C. Shope, age 81, of Arkadelphia, passed away Friday, March 9, 2012 in Arkadelphia. He was born June 10, 1930 in Okolona, Ark. the son of the late Jeames and Agnes Lowe Shope. Donald served his country with pride and was retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service. He was a Senior Master Sergeant serving in Korea and Vietnam. After retiring from the service, he worked for Gulf States Toyota in Austin, Texas. In 1984, he and his wife, Asalene made their home in Arkadelphia. He was a member of the Pine Street Church of Christ on Arkadelphia. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Bobbie Pennington and two brothers, Roy Neil Shope and Claude Arnold Shope. Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-one years, Asalene Gilleylen Shope; one son, David Shope and wife, Lynn of West Point, Mississippi; two grandsons, Travis and Tyler Shope of West Point, Miss.; one sister, Peggy Loomis of Murfreesboro, Ark.; a sister-in-law, Jo Ann Shope of Arkadelphia; and a host of special relatives and friends. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 12 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home with Jim Buie officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Delight Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Royce Loomis, Jim Black, Gordon Hale, Jimmy Denton, Kent Thomas and Willis Coker. Honorary pallbearer will be T. O. Shepherd. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 10411 West Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online guest register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.