Donnie Ray Gean

Donnie Ray Gean, 77 of Tyronza, Arkansas was born on January 18, 1947, and went to be with Jesus and his daughter, Brittany Nichole Gean Gordon, on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:50 p.m. Donnie left behind the love of his life of 42 years, Charlotte Kay Simpson Gean, his favorite fishing buddy, his son Cameron Carlisle Gean (Madison); son-in-law, Jeremy Gordon, 6 grandchildren; Trevor Lance Gordon, Cayson Raye Gordon, Whitten Cache Gean, Kaitwren Cache Gean, Abigail Rae Gean and Madison Gean. He is preceded in death by his parents, Onie & Henrietta Gean, daughter, Brittany Nichole Gean Gordon, his son Jason Michael Gean, brothers, Billy Joe Gean, Chuck Gean, Larry Gean and sisters, Winnie Lewis and Mary Cornell. He is survived by two brothers; Bobby Gean of Des Moines, Iowa, Ronnie Gean (Carol) of West Memphis, Arkansas and three sisters, Connie Gean of Searcy, Arkansas, Charlotte Massey (Jerry) of Greenbrier, and Linnie Mae (Tootsie) Eakers of Ankeny, Iowa as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his devoted dog, Marleigh, which he loved dearly.

Donnie was a Christian and proud member of Black Oak Baptist Church of Tyronza. For 20 years of his life Donnie was devoted to protecting the citizens of West Memphis, Arkansas while working at the Police Department and retiring from there in 1994 as a well-respected Police Captain. He was also that department’s only bomb technician. He spent the next 15 years as the Director of Security at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis before retiring from there in 2009. Donnie was also an Air Force veteran, serving from 1966 to 1970.

Second to loving his family was his passion for fishing, hunting, gardening, working in his yard and “piddling” in his old workshop. Donnie never met a stranger and had made many lifelong friends to whom he was extremely loyal. Donnie was a humble, simple man, always a man of his word and expected nothing less of those he knew and loved, placing a high priority on honesty. He loved the Lord and said he was looking forward to fishing with Peter when his earthly mission was completed. He had a great sense of humor and was always making people laugh with either his jokes or his funny phrases. He was an easy-going man who rarely complained and fought his battles in this life bravely with the thought of giving up never entering his mind. He was a man to be admired and will be deeply missed by many.

A funeral service will be held at Black Oak Baptist Church in the Black Oak Community on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. til service time.

Interment will follow in Tyronza Cemetery

Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home in Marked Tree, Arkansas.