With his wife and family by his side, Donald Waterworth, 97, of Pocahontas AR passed away Friday June 28, 2024 at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro AR. Don was born March 18, 1927 in South St. Paul MN to the late James and Ruth Waterworth. As well as his parents, Don was preceded in death by siblings Jim Waterworth, Norma Chonnier and Shirley Scheff. Don is survived by his wife Beth Waterworth of the home, son Leonard Waterworth of Galveston TX and daughter, Cheryl Waterworth of Hamilton MT, daughter Missy (Rickey) Phillips of Pocahontas, daughter Robyn (Mike) Thompson of Pocahontas, son Lyle (Lynn) Waterworth of Jonesboro and daughter, Leah (Jeff) Evers of Pocahontas. Don was extremely proud of his grandchildren, whom all considered him “the smartest man they knew.” Left to treasure his memory are Brian (Heather) Phillips of Pocahontas, Alex (Zack) Avery of Pocahontas, Tori (Kalob) Welch of Pocahontas, Cameron (Merideth) Waterworth of Cincinnati OH, Gavin (Sara) Strait of Farmington AR, Laura (Nick) Smith of Pocahontas, Candace (Jeremy) Durbin of Pocahontas, Emily (Nicholas) Harris of Jonesboro, Kate Junkersfeld of Pocahontas, Tristan Thompson of Memphis TN, Karsyn Thompson of Pocahontas and Jarrett Thompson of Pocahontas. Also surviving are thirteen great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and special friends. Thought to be the last surviving World War II veteran of Randolph County, Don’s military career spanned two branches and 30 combined years of service. Don began his military career in 1945, joining the United States Army and serving in the Aleutian Islands. He left the Army in 1947 and then rejoined military service in 1953 by enrolling in the United States Air Force. Don retired as an Air Force Chief Master Sargeant in 1979 after serving in bases across Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Germany and numerous bases across the United States. A highlight of Don’s military career was driving the lead Jeep during the second inauguration parade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After retirement from the military, Don continued to serve his country in numerous public service, fraternal and philanthropic organizational roles. The array of organizations included the Good Earth Association, the Red Cross, the American Retired Military Association, the Randolph County Food Bank, and the Randolph County chapter of the AARP. Don was particularly proud of his appointment as a Kentucky Colonel and his Solomon Award-winning 73 years of membership in the Freemasons Society. Don also was awarded the John Campanius Award by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association for outstanding accomplishment in the field of metrological observation. achieving over 40 years of service as a National Weather Service observer along with his status as the second ever “official” weather man of Randolph County AR as recognized by the NOAA. In addition to his distinguished military and public service career, Don was known for his numerous celebrity acquaintances. Across the years, Don had Patsy Cline as a neighbor, dined with the real-life Miss Manners, and counted as friends such luminaries as Roy Clark, Paul Harvey, Kitty Wells, Eddie Rickenbacker, and the Second Son of the Emperor of Japan. Out of all the memories and moments, Don’s greatest accomplishment occurred on July 19, 1971 when he married “His Miss Beth.” Don and Beth originally met at a Parents Without Partners Meeting in Wichita Falls, TX. Walking her to her car after their initial meeting, he told Beth he was going to marry her one day. Three months later she called him and told him, “If you want to get married, we’ll do it tomorrow or we won’t at all.” He made it happen, and the rest is history. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 5:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M., followed by a funeral service at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, with Bro. Randy Lingenfelter officiating. All services will be held at McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Brian Phillips, Cameron Waterworth, Gavin Strait, Tristan Thompson, Jarrett Thompson, Zack Avery, Kalob Welch, Nick Smith, Jeremy Durbin and Nicholas Harris. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pocahontas Missionary Baptist Church Youth Group and the Northside Freewill Baptist Church Mission Fund.