Don Warden Sr, 88, of Floral, AR, died on Monday, May 5, 2025. Don was born on August 11, 1936, in Step Rock, AR, to the late Troy Elmer Warden and Ella Edna (Loubey) Warden. He was of Christian faith and was a cowboy in every sense of the word until the day he died. Don was a hard worker. He worked in the pipeline industry for most of his adult life. He traveled the world working on pipelines, working in such places as Saudi Arabia and Alaska. His impact on pipeline work cannot be overstated and will be felt for generations to come. He introduced so many people to the field (sons, brothers, grandsons, friends, and even his own father). Don was also very handy and a self-taught genius when it came to many things, especially leatherwork. He loved to make belts, holsters, harnesses, and even a few saddles. Some of his other hobbies included fishing, collecting guns and knives, and anything involving horses. But out of all of Don’s hobbies and passions, the thing he cherished the most was his family. The only thing that was a part of his life longer than working on the pipeline was being a husband to the love of his life, Betty Ann (Eddington) Warden. Don and Betty met when they were teenagers and went to Tijuana, Mexico, just to get married. They were married for over 71 years. Their life together was an adventure and the beginning of a legacy of love, dedication, and hard work that will live on in the hearts of generations to come. Don was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, co-worker, mentor, and friend. He will be dearly missed and forever loved by everyone who was blessed to know him.
Don is preceded in death by both of his parents; his daughter, Shirley Annette Warden; his brothers, Roy Warden, Gale Warden, and Paul Warden; and his great-grandson Kobe Chase Warden. He is survived by his loving wife of more than 71 years, Betty Ann Warden; his 3 sons, Don Warden Jr. (Jennifer), Troy Warden (Sherry), and Yancy Warden (Evonda); his 3 daughters, Charlotte Apple (Brad), Kayla Gay (Cameron), and Gayla Cartwright (David); his 3 brothers, Gary Warden (Bernice), Rex Warden (Perry), and Monte Warden (Sharon); his two sisters, Iwanah Warden and Ruby Warden; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. Floral Baptist Church in Floral, AR will host a visitation on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 1 PM until 2 PM. The funeral service, also at Floral Baptist Church and officiated by Bro. David Cartwright will begin at 2 PM with interment to follow at Philadelphia Cemetery in Sunnydale, AR. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be, Evan Warden, Eyan Warden, Casey Byrd, Allen Roberts, Eric Roberts, and Ethan Green. The family would like to recognize the following people as honorary pallbearers: Don Warden Jr., Troy Warden, Yancy Warden, Cameron Gay, and David Cartwright.
