Dr. Donald Walter Stanton, 81, a longtime Veterinarian of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at his home. He was born August 20, 1938, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Herbert Lee and Susie Nell Stanton.
He is survived by his loving wife and partner of 59 years, Suzanne Schoolcraft Stanton; a daughter, Pamela Evans and husband Kevin of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a son, Dr. Derik Stanton and wife Jill of Fayetteville; a sister, Virginia Hight of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Alexandra Evans, Jacob Evans and his wife Lauren, Drake Stanton, and Jessica Stanton; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ina Sue Dougherty and Patsy Rose Erdman; and a brother, Herbert Lee Stanton, Jr.
He attended and graduated from Wichita High School, Wichita State Community College, then on to Kansas State University for Veterinary school & earned from Gamma Sigma Delta the recognition of high scholarship, outstanding achievement and service in Agricultural Science in Spring 1964. He has been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association for 55 years. He received the gold membership which identifies him as an Honor Roll member of AVMA for the last 10 years.
Don was the houseboy at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at K-State, the biggest perk other than meals & learning manners, he met his best friend forever Susie. They married May 20, 1960. While attending Vet School, Susie supported him as a home economics teacher and during Christmas break of 1961 their daughter Pam was born. The plan was always to move to Arkansas, but after graduation they chose to move to the largest animal hospital in the United States in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1971 he began his veterinary career in Fayetteville specializing in small animals. Stanton has been a member of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association for 48 years. He served several years on the AVMA board of directors, served as President in 1984 and was named Arkansas Veterinarian of the Year in 1991. He was a member of the Orthopedic Surgical Society and American Animal Hospital Association. In 1996, his son graduated from LSU Veterinary School, joined him in practice and will now continue his legacy.
He was a lifetime Methodist. In 1972, His family joined Central United Methodist Church and he has served as a church usher for many years.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville-Sequoyah. He was a Kiwanian for forty-seven years and had received the Legion of Honor for his time with the club. He served as club President. For years he has loved volunteering at Bikes, Blues and BBQ, as the bell ringer for the Salvation Army and delivering fruit baskets at Hillcrest Towers, often with his grandchildren.
He started each day with goals set and ended with his accomplishments. Although he never officially retired, he has always had many interests and hobbies. Fishing, woodworking, bicycling, grill master, riding his tractor, watching the Razorbacks, piddling at Beaver Lake, and in later years, enjoyed watching his grandsons play baseball and run track.
His love for his family will never be forgotten, but it is evident that the four-legged community knew him the very best.
Visitation will be held from 4–6 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2019, at Nelson-Berna Funeral home in Fayetteville. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on September 7, 2019, at Central United Methodist Church at 6 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. A Private Committal will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CUMC Community Meals program, 6 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703; Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 17687, Little Rock, Ark. 72222; or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas 75284-1125. To place an online tribute, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published September 4, 2019