Donald Joe Flenniken

Donald Joe Flenniken, 82, was born in Smackover, Arkansas to Raydon and Lucille Flenniken. He was the second of six children. His three sisters and two brothers loved and respected him very much, as did his parents, who received much care and support from him in their later years. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1959. He entered the Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio, Japan, Taiwan and the Pentagon. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1963.
He went to work for General Motors at the Arlington assembly plant in 1963. He retired from General Motors in 2003 after 40 years of service. He was an avid motorcycle rider all of his life until his reflexes were slowed by age. Joe lived his entire life in service to his family, friends and acquaintances. Throughout his life, many benefited from his mechanical abilities and his quiet steadfast counsel. Ultimately, the source of his character was due to his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In his retirement years he enjoyed restoring and building classic cars, motorcycle road trips and camping trips. He was a member of the Christian Classic Cruisers car club. He worshipped at Christ Chapel Bible Church and enjoyed the friendships developed in the Men’s Bible Study. His Christianity was further evident in the resilience, good humor and kindness exhibited to family, friends and medical staff during his prolonged illness.
Joe was preceded in death by his sister Patricia Flenniken Box and his daughter Kelly Flenniken Gassett.
He is survived by his wife Donna of 61 years, son Joe and his wife Bobbie, son Jim, siblings Ruby Vaughn and husband James, Cathrine Johnson and husband Carroll, John Flenniken and wife Kathryn, and Ray Flenniken. He is also survived by grandchildren Caroline Gassett, Hannah Drake and husband John, Sarah and Devin Flenniken, Suzanne Dorchester and husband John, Jessica Markwardt, Gregg Kidd and wife Chrissy. Great grandchildren Jason Byrd, Shelby Hedgepeth, Abigail Markwardt, Christopher Markwardt, Breegan Kidd and Nola Drake coming in June of 2024.