Donald L. Templeton

Donald L. Templeton, age 88, of Sturgis, Kentucky, formerly of Hazen, Arkansas, peacefully passed from his earthly life and entered the gates of Heaven of February 6, 2023. Don was born on February 11, 1934 to Robert and Odell Templeton of Hazen. He graduated from Hazen High School in 1953 then attended the University of Arkansas-Monticello before taking a job with the Rock Island Railroad. He worked approximately 5 years in south Louisiana before returning to Hazen in 1959. He served as station agent in Lonoke, Carlisle, and Stuttgart and at the freight office in Little Rock. In 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Troyer. They had 3 children. He worked with Rock Island until 1980. In 1982 he took a job with Tradewater Railway in Sturgis, Kentucky where he worked for 14 years to finish out his railroad career with 41 ½ years of service. After the death of his wife Gladys, he married Velda O’Leary and gained a loving second family. He said he was so blessed to have two of the best families that anyone could ask for.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Gladys, his son-in-law, Jerry Moore, and his brother David E. Templeton.

He is survived by his wife, Velda Templeton of Sturgis, Kentucky, his children, Sherry (Danny) Walters of Hazen, Roger (Ellen) Templeton of Little Rock, Arkansas, Dana Moore of Dixon, Kentucky, and step-children, Deena (Phillip) Holt of Clay, Kentucky, and Dennis (Melissa) O’Leary of Sturgis, Kentucky, his brother, Robert (Shelia) Templeton of Montgomery, Texas, and his sister, Martha (Richard) Dobbs of Duluth, Georgia.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Aaron Walters, Reid Walters, Griffin Templeton, Caroline Templeton; step-grandchilden, Clay Alloway, Dale Walters, and April Walters, and six great-grandchildren, Gabby and Keegan Alloway, Presley Templeton, Whitney Walters, Emma Jane Davis, Devin Davis, and 5 great-great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 3:00 P.M., Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Hazen, Arkansas at the Hazen Cemetery.  There will be a visitation from 2:00 to 2:45 Sunday prior to the service at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.

There will be a memorial service in Sturgis, Kentucky on February 18, 2023 at the Sturgis First Baptist Church.

31 thoughts on “Donald L. Templeton”

  1. Judy Bates Warren

    Sherry, Roger and Dana, I’m so sorry, your daddy was a great friend to my momma and us all! He was a great man! I’m praying for you all!

  2. Karen Phifer Dukes

    Most of my earliest memories include the Templeton family. I remember lots of times that our parents played cards or good times at church. Roger, Sherry and Dana, please know that the entire Phifer family loved y’all and Larry and I will be praying for peace. We know we will see them again!

    1. Katherine Stewart Billington

      So sorry to here about Don. I worked at Tradewater Railroad for 10 yrs when they had their 1st office on the 1 way Street, then later over by Onan’s by the railroad tracks. Such a great man, I thought the world of him. Praying for his family & friends 🙏 ❤️ 💙

  3. My prayers are with the family. So sorry to hear of the death of a guy who was a senior the first year I taught in Hazen. Chris Weems

  4. I have the best memories of your dad and your mom. We had the best childhood. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.

  5. I’m sorry to hear that, Brother Don has laid his working tools down and gone to the celestial lodge above . I am sure he heard these words “Well done thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of the Lord “SMIB DENNIS MAYHER Worshipful Master Hazen Lodge #361 F&AM Of Arkansas

  6. Tony & Leah Hendrix

    Dear Roger & Ellen, Sherry & Danny, and Dana, we are so sorry for your loss of Don. May the Lord give you comfort and peace during this difficult time… our love and prayers are with you all.

  7. Dana, I just heard about your dad ..I am so sorry. I need you to contact me as soon as you can. Sending hugs a d prayers to you and all your family

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