Eddie Donahou

Eddie Donahou, 89, of Russellville, died Friday, September 18, 2026, at UAMS in Little Rock. Visitation services will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, September 24, at Humphrey Funeral Home Chapel, with funeral services at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 25, at Second Baptist Church, Russellville, with Pastor Chris Russell officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.

Eddie was born March 3, 1937, in Greenbrier, Arkansas, to N.C. & Myrtle (Mahan) Donahou. He married Joyce Lavonne (Clendenin) Donahou on December 19, 1982, in Russellville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 41 years, LaVonne; a daughter, Laurie Cains; and a large family of brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin Soliz of Lowell, Arkansas; two sons: Mike Donahou (Jan) of Waldo, Wisconsin, and Steve Donahou (Echo) of Hawaii; and ten grandchildren: Michelle Sams (Jake) of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; P.J. Turner (Sara) of Gentry, Arkansas; Zoe Donahou of Waldo, Wisconsin; Griffin Donahou of Waldo; Richie Donahou of Hawaii; Beckett McKinley, Saylor McKinley, Luke Sams & Beau Sams all of Pea Ridge; and Barrett Turner of Gentry.

During his life, Eddie worked more than 20 years at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Russellville, followed by another long career as a real estate agent with River Valley Realty Company.

In high school, Eddie excelled in athletics. He played football, basketball, and ran track in North Carolina while living at Camp LeJeune and Swansboro with his brother, Dolan and sister-in-law, Francis. He was offered 19 college scholarships to play football and basketball. He was the most valuable player in his high school basketball all-star game during his senior year. He eventually played football for Arkansas Tech University as a cornerback for several seasons. He also enjoyed baseball and golf.

As an Arkansan, Eddie was a lifelong Razorback fan. He enjoyed watching and discussing college sports with anyone and everyone. In his last few years, he especially enjoyed watching games with members of his Sunday School class from Second Baptist Church. He was always willing to share his thoughts regarding Razorback coaching expertise, strategy and players.

While working at Firestone as the Senior Scheduler, Eddie began officiating football games for local junior high and high school games. For more than 30 years, Eddie was on the road most Thursday and Friday nights to officiate football games with his friends from work who did the same. He accumulated many entertaining stories from his experience as a referee. Even after retiring as an official, Eddie enjoyed keeping in touch with people who worked those games with him.

Eddie also served the Russellville community as coach in youth sports, especially baseball. Many of the teams he coached went to the state baseball tournament at the end of the season.

Eddie’s seemingly endless supply of personal stories will be missed greatly by those who loved him. His internet obituary and online guestbook are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.