Don Carnahan

Dr. Don Carnahan, of Russellville, passed on March 29, 2025 at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Don was born on April 19, 1945, in his family’s four-room house outside of Waldron, Arkansas. His parents, Anderson and Fern Carnahan, welcomed him as their twelfth and youngest child. By the time Don was born, his parents had run out of names, so they took suggestions from his siblings. His brother Sam jokingly suggested “Donald Duck with Polk Salad,” and from that, they settled on 'Donald.' Don’s childhood was filled with chores, outdoor adventures, fishing, and the company of his many siblings and extended family. He excelled in school, graduating as salutatorian. His love for playing and watching basketball began as he played on the Waldron High School Bulldogs.

The first of his family to attend college, he enrolled at Arkansas College in Batesville. There he met Margaret Grigsby, who would become his wife of 57 years. She caught his eye while playing piano at the Baptist church they attended. After many dates consisting of coffee and French fries, they married on September 9, 1967. At Don’s graduation, he received a mathematics award, and the presenter humorously remarked, “He is outstanding in his field—and that’s where we found him, out standing in a field in Western Arkansas.”

After earning his bachelor's degree at Arkansas College, Don and Margaret moved to Fayetteville, where he pursued graduate studies at the University of Arkansas, earning a master’s degree and then his Ph.D. in Mathematics. During this time, they welcomed their first child, Alan, followed five years later by their daughter, Alee.

Don began his academic career teaching math courses at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. He served as Department Chairman and taught at Ouachita for 12 years. They completed their family with the birth of Lydia. They owned 5 acres of land in the country where Don renovated a house, built a pond, owned 2 cows and a horse and cultivated a large garden. While teaching at OBU, he helped Margaret start a women’s exercise business called the Hour Glass Exercise and Fitness Center, which they ran for four years before he encouraged her to pursue a math degree so she could teach junior high and high school math. He helped Margaret by tutoring and teaching her in 2 of the classes and was pivotal in her eventually earning her BS in Mathematics.

In 1985, the family moved to Russellville where Don began teaching at Arkansas Tech University, eventually becoming Head of the Mathematics Department, he dedicated 28 years to teaching at Tech before retiring in 2013, finishing his outstanding 40-year career in higher education. He instilled the importance of higher education in his children and encouraged them in finding their own professions as pediatrician, occupational therapist, and teacher. He became his beloved title of 'Grandfather' with the birth of his 8 grandsons and 4 granddaughters.

Don’s deep faith was demonstrated by serving as Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder at the churches he attended.

Don found joy in serving others, whether he was mowing lawns, giving rides, chopping wood, or tutoring his grandchild in math over the phone. He and Margaret practiced hospitality, preparing countless meals for family and friends. Their homes bore the mark of Don's craftsmanship—from roofing and siding to installing a pool, cultivating a garden, and building a shed. Though he traveled many places with Margaret, he was happiest at home, tending to his garden and watching westerns, NBA games, or Razorback basketball with his wife.

Don was a wonderful husband, great dad and Grandfather, reliable friend, and teacher at church and in life. While he was often the smartest person in the room, he never made you feel that way. He lived by his favorite Bible verse, Micah 6:8, and he was such an example of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. To know Don was to love him. He was a truly wonderful and kind man.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Carnahan; children Alan (Tami) Carnahan of Miami, OK, Alee (Kenny) Fairris of Little Rock, and Lydia (John) Dial of Bentonville; grandchildren Caleb (Elizabeth) Carnahan, Micah Carnahan, Noah (Alexis) Carnahan, John David Dial, René (Neal) Jackson, Henry Dial, Chloe’ Dial, George Dial, Sophie Dial, Emma Fairris, Grant Fairris, and Timothy Fairris; great-grandchildren Kal Carnahan, Eleanor Jackson, Evie Jackson, and Titan Jackson; sisters Rosalee Brundeen, Ruth Bridges, Elvamae Clifft, Ruby Mitts, and brother Alvin Carnahan.

Memorial service will be Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 1:00 pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Russellville, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service, with Rev. Jim Fisk presiding. Immediately following the service, the family will receive friends at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church building fund, 1200 North Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801 (www.fcpcrussellville.com). They also request ‘acts of kindness’ in Don’s honor.

The online guestbook and obituary may be found at www.humphreyfuneral.com.