Dawen (Don) Ghent

Dawen (Don) Edward Ghent, 93, beloved husband, father and grandfather, peacefully passed away to his next life on May 3, 2017, in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Martha Jean Ghent, and son Louis Bartlett Ghent both of Dallas, and daughter Cindy Ghent Smith and adored granddaughter, Drue Ellen Smith both of Fairfax, Virginia. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Terry (Ann) Smith of Whitehall, sister-in-law Carolyn Smith of Lockesburg, many special nieces, nephews and their families. Born February 26, 1924 in Blue Mountain, Arkansas to the late John Bartlett and Sarah Beatrice Ghent, he is preceded in death by his brother Goodloe Ghent and sister Sarah Ghent Sade.

Living the majority of his life in Arkansas, his lifetime passion and career with freight and short-line railroads began as a young boy at Choctaw Station in Little Rock, Arkansas where his father was the Rock Island RR Agent. He served in the WWII European Theatre as part of the specialized Sixth Traffic Regulation Unit to support rail yard reconstruction. He transited Normandy days after the invasion, and encountered combat while crossing the Ardennes and Rhineland to his posting as Staff Sergeant in Liege, Belgium. After WWII, he returned to Arkansas as a RI Agent in Madison, where he married the love of his life. Two children later and after assignments in OK and KS, he returned to Sparkman, AR as the RI Agent, where he was also elected Mayor. After a short RI assignment in Camden, he became the Executive Vice President of the new East Camden and Highland RR from 1971 until retirement in 1986. He served on the Board of the American Short Line and RR Association in Washington, DC. Throughout his entire life, his passion for railroads never waned.

He will lovingly be remembered for his deep devotion to family and friends, overwhelming pride in his children and granddaughter, dedication to his faith, ability to confidently solve problems, love of travel and good times, gentleness with animals, and his warm smile and hearty laugh. His legacy will continue through the lives he touched.

Graveside services to honor his life will be held Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to Arkansas Children's Hospital or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.