Donald J. Martin

Donald J. Martin, 78, lifelong resident of Mansfield, Arkansas passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014 at Muskogee Oklahoma Veterans Hospital. Don was born November 22, 1935 in Mansfield, Arkansas to Chester Martin and Ava Elizabeth Martin. Don graduated Mansfield High School in 1954 where he was given the nickname “Tuffy” for his type of athletic style on the court and field. Don briefly played basketball at Fort Smith Community College then joining the Army in 1955 he was stationed in Panama. While in the service, Don married Donna Sue Wagoner. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army he returned to Mansfield and attended Carl Albert Junior College. Don was a dispatcher for ABF and also worked with his brothers doing concrete work. After Donna Sue’s passing Don married Jerry Lynn Gray in 1964. They purchased the Dixie Bell Drive-In in 1969 and raised their children Beth and Chris there. Don’s love for sports and being around friends and family was well known with the countless days with his “buddies” enjoying horse racing in Hot Springs, golf at the Vache Grass Country Club in Greenwood and playing cards and the ever so popular “deer frys” at Dixie Bell (where no one was turned away). Don's jovial smile and generosity were known by all. Don retired from the Dixie Bell around 2003.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.