Donald Eugene Tinkham

A Memorial Service for Donald E. Tinkham will be 4:00 pm, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Lakeview, Arkansas, with Reverend Patrick Norris officiating.

Donald Eugene Tinkham, 68, of Bull Shoals, left this world on Thursday, October 29th, at the Hospice of the Ozarks, with his family by his side.

Don was born in Lewiston Maine on August 26, 1947, to Eugene and Phyliss Tinkham. Don started working at the young age of 9 years old. He started out with a paper route and then worked as a caddie at a local golf course. Don’s father was ill most of his life, so at age 15 he left home to try and make things better for his mother. He worked at night driving truck hauling eggs and seafood. He also worked part time in a garage. He did all this while finishing high school, even though he said he tried to quit several times, it was his mother’s tears that always made him go back. Don loved and cherished his mother very much.

He joined the Navy in June of 1966. He served 3 years, nine months and 21 days. He spent 3 of those years overseas. He was assigned to an intelligence staff under Admiral Moore. If you asked Don what he did in the Navy, he would always say, “I was no hero, just a glorified errand boy”. That job as a “glorified errand boy” took him all over the world, even to the White House several times where he came in contact with men like, Kissinger, LBJ, and Nixon. He was injured 3 different times while serving in the Navy, the last injury resulted in his honorable discharge in February of 1970.

Over the years Don owned and operated 3 different Body Shops. The biggest of those was B&D (Bumps and Dents) Enterprises which was comprised of a body shop, trucks hauling salvage, rental property, and buying and selling real estate. During the years of B&D Enterprise, his mother worked for him for ten years. Those are years he greatly treasured.

He retired for the first time when he was 40, but then went back to work when his mother became ill. He was a dedicated son, whom took care of both his mother and father until their deaths.
Don was married to Lucille Bouchard of Lewiston, Maine, for 24 years before she passed away.
Don came to Arkansas at his brother-in-law, Bob’s invitation, which is where he was introduced to Becky. They fell in love and married in September of 2010. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His short presence in their lives has forever changed them and his memory will live on forever in their hearts.

He is survived by his wife, Becky, of Bull Shoals; their son William Mumper and his wife, Izumi; granddaughter Naomi, of Waterbury, CT.; extended family; and many loved ones through marriage and friendship.

His battle with ALS was a tough one, but Don never quit fighting. It was his belief in Christ as his Savior that made the last days bearable. Knowing that he was going to a better place to join loved ones who have gone on before and to wait for us still left behind, gave him comfort. We thank the Bethel Baptist Church, family, and friends, for all their prayers and support in our time of need.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Carolyn, Tammy, and Amber, Don’s nurse and assistants, for the care, warmth, compassion, and love they gave to Don. Also dear to Don’s heart was Misty Culpepper. We also want to thank the rest of the staff at the Hospice of the Ozarks for making Don’s last hours comfortable.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Foundation, http://www.alsa.org/ or Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice House, 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653. http://www.hospiceoftheozarks.org/

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.