Donald Dean Brandon

Donald Dean Brandon, 91 of Fordyce, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026. He was born June 1, 1935 in Chambersville, Arkansas, one of eight children born to Dewey and Ellen Brandon. He was a graduate from Thornton High School. He worked and retired after 30 years with the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, starting as a child at Chambersville UMC to his present time at Thornton UMC.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jamie Brandon; his sister, Kaye Holt (Paul); his daughter, Arlene Blann (Joey); his son, Mike Brandon; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He met his bride Jamie in 1956. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1960. This month they would have celebrated their 66th anniversary.

Donald went by many nicknames over the years, but the one that stuck was "Duck". Friends and family called him Duck, and the grands called him Pappaw Duck.

He had a passion for the outdoors and truly enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. No matter where we traveled, he could produce the appropriate type of rod, reel, and gear and find somewhere to make a few casts along the way. He hunted with his brothers at the Brandon family homestead camp for years and later formed his own camp with friends. This season I am sure the tradition will continue as friends still gather to hunt and fish at Donald and Jamie's place. He very much enjoyed cooking deer steak and frying fish for friends and family gatherings. He loved to have "get-togethers" to eat and visit.

Duck was known for his lawn care. He truly loved to mow grass and he kept the 40 acres around his house pruned to perfection for 61 years. He was happy if he could be outside. Even at 91 years old he had handrails added to his tractor so he could still climb aboard and mow. If he was not on the tractor, you could often find him puttering around his wood shop where he enjoyed making beautiful decorative creations from wood. Some of you may have a piece he created just for you.

Donald had a sincere passion for life, for friends, and his family.

A memorial service will be 2 PM Saturday at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel in Fordyce with Rev. Ron Grisby officiating. In lieu of flowers we encourage people to make a donation to Arkansas Children's Hospital or another charity of their choosing. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.