Donnie Joe Fondren

Donnie Joe Fondren, 75, of Blytheville passed from this life on July 28, 2024 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro surrounded by family and friend

Known by family and friends as “Joe”, “Big Joe”, “Captain Joe”, and “Papa”

Born on June 17,1949 in Blytheville to the late Jessie and Corrine Fondren.

Joe served in the United States Army from April 14, 1969 until honorably discharging on March 5, 1971. On June 1, 1974, he joined the Blytheville Fire Department where he served until March 1, 1999, reaching the rank of Captain. During his days off he worked at the family hardware store, Fondren’s Hardware, and became full time upon retiring from the BFD

Later in life, he and his brother, Ronnie, took over the family business until 2017

He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorbacks fan, an outdoors man, and a faithful member of Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Jessie “Sonny” and Corrine Fondren.

He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Sandra Fondren. 

Two children: Wendy (Richard) Erhard, of Memphis,Tenn. and Scott Fondren, of Blytheville. 

One brother: Ronnie (Cathy) Fondren, of Blytheville. 

Three grandchildren: Joseph Fondren and Jayce Fondren, of Blytheville; Jacob Fondren, of Jacksonville, Ark. 

A niece: Jessica (Ryan) Perkins, of Blytheville.

One brother-in-law: Dee Northern, of Holland. 

One sister-in-law: Betty Bowlin, of Blytheville. 

A granddaughter in love: Leah Givens, of Huffman. 

And a host of grand-pets and great-grand pets. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donnie Joe Fondren, please visit our floral store.