Donald "Don" L Holbert

Donald "Don" L. Holbert, one of Arkansas's great aviation pioneers, died Sunday, September 27, 2015 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born on March 6, 1940 in Little Rock, to Claud and Gladys Erisman Holbert, Don was a distinguished aviator who dedicated his entire life to his passion, aviation. His father, Claud, began Central Flying Service in 1939 where he was instilled with a great love of aviation from a very young age. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Vail Holbert, a son, Steve along with his wife Susan and his granddaughter, Hayden. Also surviving is his brother, Richard Holbert of Little Rock, a cousin, Kaye Dunn of Benton, and five nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Claudette Sue Stewart. A graduate of Wentworth Military Academy in 1957 and Ouachita Baptist University in 1961, he was a distinguished ROTC graduate and won many medals for his championship marksmanship. Following his education, Don received a commission with distinction in the U.S. Army where he rose to rank of Captain. He was platoon leader and a helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" device for Valor, the Bronze Star, 32 Air Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He returned stateside in 1968 and continued his career in aviation at Central Flying Service that spanned 60 years. At age 15 he started as a line service tech fueling aircraft, then moved in rank to charter pilot ultimately holding an Airline Transport Pilot Rating. He became the company's Vice President of Operations, President and in 1981, Chairman of the Board, a position he held until his passing. Additionally, he held the position of President of Airport Services, Inc., a commercial airline fueling business. He was a founding member of the board of the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society and was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006. He served on the Board of Visitors of the Wentworth Military Academy and the Executive Board of Visitors for the Hickinbotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University. He was a philanthropic man and a member of many organizations who silently and generously donated to most all of them. Don was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed traveling the world with the love of his life, Linda. They enjoyed spending time at their river house on the Little Red near Heber Springs spending most weekends there. He also loved restoring antique cars namely a 1951 Chevrolet 2 door hard top and a 1954 Chevy Belair. Taking his cars to Antique Car Shows, Don won numerous medals for his restoration skills. Services will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the Donald L. Holbert Endowed Scholarship Fund at Ouachita Baptist University, Box 3754, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998 or to the Jacksonville Museum of Military History, 100 Veteran's Circle, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.