Obituaries

Don Roland Fletcher, Sr.

Photo of Don Roland Fletcher, Sr.
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. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

Published March 5, 2014

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