Donald E. Gilstrap

DONALD E. GILSTRAP, 75 of Jacksonville, passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 in North Little Rock. He was born March 6, 1935 in Neosho, Mo. to the late Henry and Reba Ball Gilstrap. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Air Force where he served his country for the next 20 years. During his tenure he received his associates degree. After Don was discharged, he obtained a real estate and contractor's license and opened Ark-Roc Realty in Jacksonville. Over the next 20 years he was involved in building homes throughout Jacksonville, Sherwood and Cabot. On Aug. 11, 1978, he married Joann Rhodes in Paragould, Ark. He retired from home building in 1999. Don was also employed with Whit Davis Lumber. He was a member of the Sertoma Club, a 32nd degree mason; a member of Scimitar Shrine Temple of Little Rock, and the Arkansas Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock as well as an avid golfer. Mr. Gilstrap is survived by his wife, JoAnn Gilstrap of Jacksonville; five children, Deborah Gilstrap of Little Rock, Larry Gilstrap of Washington D.C., Debbie (George) Wright-Myrick of Austin, Shelia (Mat) Wright-Fowler of Maumelle, Sandy (Allen) Wright-Chance of Mt. Vernon; 13 grandchildren; brother, David Gilstrap of Titusville, Fla.; sister, Phyllis Mills of Seneca, Mo., and his special dog, D.J. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock with David Harper officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Traylor, Terry Toney, Jack Wilson, Gary Fletcher, Tommy Swaim, Don Millar, Wayne Ray, B. J. Boroughs and Marshall Smith. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home 501-982-2136.