Donald Lee Tarrant, age 82, departed this life on December 24, 2021, after a difficult battle with cancer. At his side were his beloved wife of 61 years, Carole Fredrick Tarrant; daughter, Molly Adams; and son, Fredrick Tarrant, who cared for him around the clock during his final weeks with Hospice.
Don was born in Springfield, Missouri on April 14, 1939. After graduating from Parkview Highschool in 1957, he attended Southwest Missouri State University before enlisting in the United States Army in 1959, where he served in the Reserve for eight years. He spent the majority of his career as a cost analyst and buyer for the General Electric plant in Springfield, MO. After Regal Beloit bought out the Springfield plant, he remained with that company until his retirement in 2007.
Don grew up within the congregation of Temple Baptist Church in Springfield and was ordained a deacon at age 23. In his later years, he and his family committed themselves to First Baptist Church in Springfield, where he served actively as a deacon and sang in the adult choir for many years. His commitment to the Church was a fundamental part of his life.
Recreational travel with his wife, sister, and brother-in-law in Alaska, along with regular family trips to Longboat Key, Florida were among his favorite activities. He also enjoyed travelling all over the country to visit his children and their families as they moved throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and South. He was devoted to his family, and he cherished the connections he maintained with his relatives near and far.
In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, Don is survived by his sister, Martha Sutherlin; daughter-in-law, Melissa Tarrant; son-in-law, Scott Adams; and four grandchildren, Patrick Tarrant, Adam Tarrant, Sarah Adams, and Zachary Adams. He was preceded in death by his parents, C. Wilhite and Cleda Tarrant, and sister, Billie Jean Garoutte.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Springfield, MO.
Services for Don will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Park Cemetery.