Harry D. "Don" Denton Sr.

HARRY D. "DON" DENTON SR., 68, of Little Rock, a loving father, grandfather, friend, and ex-husband, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2011, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children, Don (Karen) and Michelle, by his grandchildren, Mel, Jackson and Charlie, by his ex-wife, Alice (who called him an old fool and was only partially serious), and by one brother, Terry Denton and his family of Bolivar, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earline and Charlie Denton and by his step-mother, Roma. Don was born near Bolivar in 1942 and attended Bolivar High School, where he played football and drag raced, the latter to the apparent consternation of his parents and the local authorities. A proficient driver, he was known to pass the local fire truck which was traveling too slowly so he could get to the fire. He attended Memphis State and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Details of this era are sketchy, but he apparently had a lot of fun, matured (some) and graduated in 1965 with a BBA in Economics and Finance. In 1965 Don began his forty-five year career in banking and finance by becoming a National Bank Examiner with the Comptroller of the Currency. In 1974 he began work as senior loan officer for Union National Bank in Little Rock, where he supervised lending activities, was an Investment Committee member and was Chairman of the Officers Loan Committee. It was during this time that he became a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and the Little Rock Club - the former his son and daughter loved, while he preferred the latter. At the Little Rock Club he met many of his life-long friends and served as Little Rock Club president for 1984 – 1985. Beginning in 1984 Don advised investment groups on bank-related investments, worked for and advised a savings and loan, dabbled in real estate, owned his own business operations and borrowing consulting firm for over 20 years, educated his children, and was Assistant Manager – Administration at the Little Rock National Airport. He came full circle in his career when he became a consultant for Professional Bank Services, Inc. in 2000, a position he held until he retired. Though gifted at high finance and in banking, Don's greatest joys were his two grandsons and his one granddaughter. Insisting on being called Big Daddy, he relished waiting on their front steps for them to come home – seems like he was always there. Continuing a practice he started with his own children, he ensured his grandchildren knew how to pronounce any word with the suffix "–ing". Don loved Greers Ferry Lake, a bargain and buying in bulk. He forever will be remembered for his sense of humor (just ask his recent medical staff), for the intensity he lived life, and for singing "Summertime" whenever he was happy (at least the first chorus). Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock. A private memorial will be held later. The family would like to thank the staffs of Baptist Hospital, 10A, and of Saline Memorial Hospice and all Don's doctors and their staffs for all of their help and support during his illness. The family also wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to their friends for all their support and prayers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate or by mail to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73123-1718 or by telephone to 1-800-227-2345; or to Saline Memorial Hospice, 23157 Interstate 30 S, Bryant Ark., 72022, 501-315-0136. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Don's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.