Donald Gene Wherry, 83, of Charlotte, AR, died on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Don was born on March 27, 1941, in Newark, AR, to the late Paul Daniel Wherry and Esther Pauline (Griffin) Wherry. Don was of Christian faith and served the Lord as a member of the Charlotte Church of Christ in Charlotte, AR. Don served his country honorably in the United States Navy. He was a Radarman 1st Class, and served on the USS Point Defiance. He served deployments in Japan and also the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of the blockade ordered by President Kennedy. He was also part of the efforts made to locate the sunken USS Thresher. After his Navy service, Don became a teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education at UCA and then began his first teaching job in New London, MO. From there, he continued educating as an administrator and served as Principal at McCrory, Charlotte, Yellville, and then back to Charlotte before retiring. After his retirement, he and his loving wife, the late Deanna Wherry, opened a framing shop in the Moorfield area, called “Hang Ups”. Some of Don’s hobbies included framing, reading, bird watching, traveling, and watching sports (especially the Arkansas Razorbacks). But out of all his hobbies and passions, nothing meant more to Don than his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a loving husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will be dearly missed by everyone who was blessed to know him.
Don is preceded in death by both of his parents and his wife, Deanna Wherry. He is survived by his two daughters, Donna Voight (Scot) and Danae Scott (Jay); his brother, Bill Wherry (Carol), his sister, Betty Wherry; his 6 beloved grandchildren, Kambri Voight, Easton Voight, Ryken Voight, Mason Scott, Kara Scott, and Leah Scott; his two nieces, Holly Wherry and Amanda Wherry; and several extended family members and friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. Visitation will be held at the Willis Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Charlotte Church of Christ in Charlotte, AR, will host the funeral service on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. with interment to follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Newark. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Mason Scott, Easton Voight, Ryken Voight, Kevin Arms, Steve Britton, Wayne Foushee, and David Ward. The family wishes to recognize Jerrell Lillard and Bill Lillard as honorary pallbearers.
