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, Rene' (Neil) 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, and brother Alvin Carnahan.

Memorial service will by Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 1 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.

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 Hourglass 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.

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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Courier on Mar. 31, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Carnahan

Sponsored by Humphrey Funeral Services, Inc. Humphrey Funeral Chapel.

7 Entries

Carmen Forte Irby

April 3, 2025

We would like to share our condolences to you and your family. Carmen Forte Irby

Debora Carnahan

April 2, 2025

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Raouf J Halaby

April 1, 2025

Fresh out of graduate school, way back in 1973 Don and I joined the Ouachita Baptist University faculty as young assistant professors. And within weeks Don and Margaret became dear friends to me and to my wife; and even after they left Arkadelphia, our friendship continued with an occasional Russellville family visit to. Don was a gentle man, a kind, compassionate, and loving person. He was also a true gentleman, always extending a hand to his students, colleagues, and friends. And for a good while Don taught the Sunday School class to which we belonged. Always prepared, always challenging, and always imparting wisdom without being preachy, Don brought a wealth of experiences to bear; to say that Don preached what he believed and taught doesn't even begin to describe this man. He never forgot his humble roots. And for some 4 years, and because we had young families, Don and I painted colleagues' homes, sheet rocked and wallpapered many a bedroom and dining room. I'll never forget his helping me replace a roof on our first Arkadelphia home, in mid-August, of all times. Suspended on ladders, we spent the summer months discussing myriad topics. I learned much from a man six months my senior. He was the epitome of dignity, humility, integrity, and doing unto others. Rare is the man who lives his faith.
So much to say about a former colleague and Dear Friend, a man from whom I learned much about life, faith, service, teaching, roofing, painting, sheet rocking, carpentry, and gardening. And more anything else - Don was a great model, for his students, colleagues, friends, and our community.
Margaret, Alan, Alee, and Lydia, your husband and father will forever dwell in our hearts; we will cherish the memories of our families' "get togethers" for dinners and cookouts. And his legacy will live on in each you.
Don, My Dear Friend, you will be sorely misses. May you rest in eternal peace.
Raouf J. Halaby

Raouf J Halaby

April 1, 2025

In 1973 Don and I joined the Ouachita Baptist University faculty. My wife and I have had the pleasure and honor of befriending Don and Margaret for the time they lived in Arkadelphia and later, while visiting Russellville.
Don Carnahan was, without a doubt, one of those rare characters whose integrity, compassion, and faith left an indelible impact on my life - and lives of so many. Sometime in 1970's Don helped me put a new roof on our house - right smack in mid-August. And during the first few years as young professors with familial responsibilities, Don and I painted homes, sheet rocked and wallpapered homes for friends and colleagues. Suspended on ladders, Don and I talked about myriad topics, everything from faith and politics to gardening and, of course teaching. Don's gentle nature, his calm demeanor, and his humility are noteworthy. I remember Don's pride in remodeling a home on five out of town acres, a place where he and Margaret took pride in raising their children. And for a long time Don taught our Sunday School class, a class of mostly OBU professors and staff members. To say that Don was a superb university and SS teacher was a given. And when he spoke in his gentle dignified manner, you knew you were in the presence of a good man, a man who never forgot his roots, and a man who strived to make this world a better, more compassionate, and more loving world.
I will miss you Dear Friend, and I will cherish the memories and numerous conversations we had, including our several meals and get "togethers" with our young families.

Pamela Cook Rainard

April 1, 2025

Margaret, my deepest condolences. Although I have not lived there for twenty years you and Don were the best of Russellville to me.

Barbara Hughes

March 31, 2025

Margaret, I am so sorry for your loss.

Humphrey Funeral Services, Inc. Humphrey Funeral Chapel

March 31, 2025

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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