Don El Whitson

Donald Elmer (Don El) Whitson passed away on March 13, 2024 in New Braunfels, Texas. He was born on September 15, 1934 in the White Oak township in Franklin County near Ozark, Arkansas to Weaver and Mary Lee Whitson.

Don El graduated from Ozark High School in 1952 and married Madeline Phillips and together they had four children: Debbie, Donnie, Lori and John. He worked at his parent’s Ford Dealership in Ozark and at his Uncle’s Ford Dealership in Clarksville in various capacities until he took a job teaching auto mechanics at Arkansas Valley Vocational Technical School (AVVTS) in the mid-1960s. He enjoyed teaching students at AVVTS for over 25 years.

He later married Evelyn Cagle and they traveled the country either on a motorcycle or in some type of RV or travel trailer; they also full-time RV’d for nearly 4 years. Between motorcycle and RV, they saw most of America and some of Canada in their time together. Don El and Evelyn were together loving life and traveling for nearly 40 years until her death. He often spoke of their adventures on the road.

Don El could fix your car, weld your trailer, or BBQ grill as well as keep a pretty good garden and make really good jelly. In his younger days, he was a master on the grill, usually cooking on the grill he made himself. He was also a very good fisherman and would supply and cook the catfish for many annual fish frys. He also loved playing golf with friends and family. Don El enjoyed helping people, especially his friends, he would do anything for you as his deer/beer camp buddies and golf buddies can attest. Don El was a lifelong resident of Ozark until 2021 when his health forced a move to Texas. When asked, Don El would tell everyone he met he was not from Texas, he was from Arkansas, and he was a Razorback fan.

Don El was preceded in death by his parents Weaver and Mary Lee Whitson, his sister Zo Holley, his son Donnie Whitson, and daughter Debbie DiLella. Don El is survived by his son John and daughter-in-law Sabrena Whitson, his daughter Lori Whitson, daughter-in-law Carol Whitson, son-in-law Ric DiLella, stepdaughter Pam (Cagle) Carter, niece Kellye (Mike) Cannon and grandchildren Joshua, Sarah, Brittany, Matthew, Melissa, Erica, Daniel, and Lauren as well as 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be provided by Lux Funeral Home in New Braunfels, TX. There will be a celebration of Don El’s life in Ozark, AR at a later date for his family and close friends