On the very cold morning of January 10, 1930, in Woodward County Oklahoma, Reverend Donald Louis Brankel was born into this world. On November 1, 2024, there was a resounding sound in Heaven of “Glory to God unto the Lamb Forever!” as Rev. Brankel made it Home. This had been his lifelong goal, and as he would often say, “Take as many with me as I can.” Truly his passion was preaching and winning souls to Christ.
Don grew up in Woodward County, Oklahoma raised by his parents Jacob Sterling Brankel (deceased) and Gerda Brown Brankel (deceased). He had two brothers, Joe Brankel (deceased) and Reverend James Brankel (deceased). Rev. Brankel was raised in the poverty of the Dust Bowl, but their home was rich in Godly teaching; his father often reading the Bible by the light of a kerosene lamp, and his mother always teaching him and his brothers about the Lord, both in example and by the Word.
Reverend Brankel felt a call to the ministry at the young age of 15 years old, and accepted the position of pastorate at his local church that same year. He often quipped, “A lot of wisdom flowed from that pulpit!” At the age of 18, he left his home in Woodward County to answer the call to be an evangelist. God proved faithful to His calling throughout his years of ministry.
In 1949, Don met and married the love of his life, the lady he cherished, Neta Jean Solley. Their home was blessed by two daughters, Leenetta Ruth Tyler (Brazes Tyler, deceased) of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Jacqueta Ann Cantrell and husband Larry of Van Buren, Arkansas. Don and Neta enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2018.
Throughout his ministry Reverend Brankel pastored churches in Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He and his wife Neta served as full-time evangelists from 1973-2000. Throughout his years in ministry, which spanned from 1945-2020, Reverend Brankel preached in all 50 states in the US and 21 foreign countries. He believed in missions and faithfully contributed to many missionaries and missions programs, delighting in helping win souls and build churches around the globe.
Reverend Brankel served as Assistant Youth Director for the New Mexico District Assemblies of God in 1962-1963. He served several years on the Arkansas District of the Assemblies of God Presbytery Board. He was honored by the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God as recipient of the Eagle Award for his years of faithful ministry. In 2022, the General Council of the Assemblies of God honored his years as an evangelist by presenting the Smith Wigglesworth Award.
Reverend Brankel is survived by five grandchildren: Regina Tyler Ivey and husband Damon Ivey; Cindy Tyler Cowling; Chad Cantrell and wife, Lyndi; Marc Cantrell; and Marsha Tyler Yoder and husband Michael.
He is also survived by nine great grandchildren: Drew and Devin Ivey; Collin, Ben, and Lily Cantrell; Lauren Ashley Cowling, Layken Johnson, and Landen Johnson; Marc Cantrell, Jr. and Wesley Cantrell; and Makayla Yoder. One great grandson, Tanner Yoder preceded Reverend Brankel in death in 2014. Nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and a wonderful host of friends also survive him. The family is especially grateful for his loving care team who became like family at Methodist Village Senior Living.
Celebration of Life service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Faith Assembly of God Church, 2001 Arkansas Blvd, Texarkana, AR. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Monday, November 11, 2024 at Faith Assembly of God Church.
Condolences may be left at www.eastfuneralhomes.com
