Don L. Potter

Don L. Potter of Conway, Ark., was born on August 2, 1937, and went to be with his Savior on September 16, 2022. He was preceded in death by his mother, Leota Hicks Phillips; his father, Talmadge Potter; his son, Chase Potter; and his brother, Keith Potter. He is survived by his beloved "bride," Cathy Hilton Potter; his daughter, Charlotte Patton (Ralph); his grandsons, Jarod Green (Samantha) and Corey Green (Ashley); great-grandson, Joe Green (Kaia); great-granddaughter, Emma; his great-great granddaughter, Charlotte Mae Green; mother-in-law, Murrell Hilton; sister-in-law, Donna Hopper (Robin); niece, Suzanne Roach (Craig); nephews, Robert and Ross Hopper; and grand-nephew, Owen Roach. Don never met a stranger and greeted loved ones with a grin, a hug, and a reminder to "move your parts." He had a heart for serving others and went out of his way to make each person he encountered feel seen and loved. Don adored his family, putting their needs first. Don earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He began his career as a draftsman and went on to work as an engineer for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department for 40 years. After the highway department, he worked for the City of Searcy, Ark., and for the Tyler Group until his retirement from the industry. Don earned multiple professional honors throughout his career and was the Faulkner County Leadership Institute's 2015 Leadership Award recipient. Don's interests and activities were varied and numerous. He was a member of Toastmasters, Kiwanis of Conway, and Four Winds Church. He was involved with K-Life, Key Club, Young Life, and Excel Upward; Don also served as a CASA advocate from 2006 through 2013. He loved ministering to the Matamoros Children's Home, in the community of Matamoros, Mexico, where he served on an annual mission trip. Coined "the godfather" of the Conway running community, Don's love of the sport was known and respected statewide. His first official race was in Southwest Little Rock's Otter Creek area; he did not record his finish time, and he ran in a pair of cutoff jean shorts. He went on to race many courses of various distances, in proper running shorts, and his impressive running credentials included five Boston Marathon finishes. Notably, Don was a founding member of the Conway Running Club. He was also the founding director of Chase Race & Paws, established in memory of his son, from 2006 until 2018. He served on many race boards throughout the years, including but not limited to the Conway Kids Triathlon, which he also co-founded, and the Toad Suck 5K/10K. Local runners adored Don, who often corralled them to begin their daily miles with a commanding whistle and a reminder that "it never rains at the barn." Found among Don's keepsakes was the poem, "Don't Waste It," which reads in part: "…Mend a quarrel. Search out a forgotten friend…Encourage someone who has lost faith. Keep a promise. Forget an old grudge. Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them. Fight for a principle. Express your gratitude. Overcome an old fear. Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature. Tell someone you love them. Tell them again. And again. And again." Don's visitation will be held Friday, September 23, 2002, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and his service will be held at 12 p.m., both at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. His interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, also in Conway. Don requested runners/walkers please follow the procession from the funeral home to the cemetery and leave a pair of running shoes at his grave to be buried with him. All are invited to join in running his final race. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway