Don Ray Atherton

Don Ray Atherton, 84, of Greenville, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on December 8, 2025. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Terrace Baptist Church with Bro. Jimmy Tarrant officiating. Burial will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church.
Don was born November 20, 1941, to Martin Richard and Opal Marie Swindell Atherton. He served in the US Army. Don married the love of his life Barbara Tarrant on June 16, 1967, in Greenville, Texas. He was a member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church.
Don is survived by his wife, Barbara Atherton; sons, Jason Atherton, Bradley Atherton and wife, Leeann, Michael Atherton and wife, Faye; daughter, Allison Atherton; granddaughter Jessica Atherton that he raised; sister, Carolyn Brown; grandchildren, Jessica, Ryan, Brooklyn, Allison, Chelsea, Dallas, Daniel, Danielle, David; nine great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Ellen Atherton; three nephews, Alan Brown, Woody Atherton, Bobby Atherton Jr.
Don accepted Christ as his Savior as a young boy in Sunday school at Park Street Baptist Church. As an adult he taught Sunday school for fifty years. He especially loved to sing for his Lord. He was a faithful choir member for 50 years, singing in groups and solos. He had a love for the guitar and didn't mind doing a little rock-n-roll mixed with gospel. Anybody that knew Don knew he liked Harley Davidson motorcycles. You could often see him clad in Harley shirts. He loved convertibles and owned a 1967 chevy convertible that he enjoyed for years.
Don graduated in 1960 from Greenville High School. In December of 1979 he graduated with a BA degree from East Texas State University.
Don was employed in 1960 when L3 Harris was Temco. He retired in December of 1998 as a supervisor in materials contracting department.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Reynolds, Noah Warrington, Slayde Warrington, Dallas Atherton, Todd Riggins, and Jeffrey Tarrant. Honorary pallbearer: Maverick Green
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby Atherton, Sr. and grandparents, Will and Roberta Atherton and Claude and Ella Swindell.