Don Acklin
Funeral services for Donald Dale Acklin, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Acklin passed away at 8:26 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.
He was born February 18, 1931, at West Plains, Missouri, to Robert Fulton Acklin and Oma Coble Acklin. On May 9, 1950, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Alice Alzira Brotherton, who preceded him in death January 2, 1987. In 1995, he was married to Georgia E. Whitsell Kickel, who preceded him in death on August 10, 2018. Mr. Acklin was a veteran; he was drafted in 1955 and served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked at West Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company for thirty-three years, having retired as fleet manager. Mr. Acklin was a member of a group that originated the Emergency Response System in South Central Missouri and North Central Arkansas, was a member of Weather Watchers in South Central Missouri and North Central Arkansas and was a member of the Sheriff Reserve for a number of years. Don also delivered the Springfield News-Leader for thirty-one years in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas and also worked at Wal-Mart for many years; his favorite position was being Santa Clause for the children. Most of all he loved people and his family remembers that there was never a closed door; it was open to friends and strangers alike. Mr. Acklin loved his family and went to the river every weekend with them.
He is survived by six children, Donnie Acklin and wife, Lynda, Terry Acklin and wife, Diana, Larry Acklin and wife, Karen, Craig Acklin, Pam Freeman and husband, Ted and Ann Acklin and significant other, Kerry Vehawn; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Acklin and Ronald Acklin and wife, Marsha; one sister, Helen Stanley and husband, Dick; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, step-mother, Marie Acklin, wives, one son, Mike Acklin, one brother, Danny Acklin and two sisters, Judy Acklin and June Johnston, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Dripping Springs Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Baptist Church or the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Keith Weaver
August 16, 2018 @ 7:24 am
So many wonderful memories of working with Don at the Sheriff’s Department and seeing him around Walmart. May the Lord provide comfort to all family and friends…
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Nancy Rose`
August 16, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
I think Don waited until Georgia passed away, before he gave in. God rest his soul he was such a wonderful man. He was at church all the time.
bud & Marie Nale
August 16, 2018 @ 8:07 pm
So sorry to hear about Don. He and Georgia were such sweet people. They will be missed by all. My God Bless all of the family. You have our Deepest Sympathy.
Sharon Neathery
August 17, 2018 @ 7:54 am
I worked with Don at Coca Cola for many years, and he always came in the door smiling.
My prayers and sympathy for his family, may they find peace and comfort
at this time.
Sam Paris
August 17, 2018 @ 8:20 am
On behalf of the Paris family, our condolences to the Acklins. You were part of our Coca-Cola family for decades. We share in your grief and treasure our many memories together.
Shelley Surface
August 17, 2018 @ 9:49 am
Anne, I am so sorry to hear about your dad!!! May you find comfort in the precious memories you have with your dad. Hugs to you my friend.
Mike and Diana Pace
August 17, 2018 @ 9:08 pm
Our deepest sympathy. Don and Georgia were very special.
The Nix Family
August 18, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
Such a good man…. Our prayers to all of you…
Conrad Miller
August 4, 2019 @ 10:20 am
It appears that I am about a year late for this conversation but I didn’t know of his passing.
The last time I saw Don was in my 18th year – he was an old man of thirty something at the time. Don was a man of understated but undeniable wisdom. One look from him and you just sorta knew he was checking your work, sometimes with skepticism, sometimes bemusement. Over the intervening 50 years or so, at peculiar moments, I would feel his quiet eyes from time to time and be spurred on to do whatever task was at hand that much better, such was his influence on this evolving youth and his subsequent lifetime development. Don didn’t know any of this, of course, (Donnie did) but his legacy was broad. His was a life well lived and I am deeply sorrowed by his passing.