Saturday, May 4, 2024
Don Bales, age 74, of Jonesboro, passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023, in Temple.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the funeral home.
Don Terry Bales was born June 5, 1949, in Gatesville to the late John Hugh and Geneva Pauline (Polly) Alford Bales. He grew up in Jonesboro and graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1967. He was a basketball, track, and baseball star during his school years. He attended for two years at Tarleton State University before returning to Jonesboro to farm with his father. As a young adult, he enjoyed hunting and setting trot lines for big “cats” on the Leon River.
He married Marcia McKibben on March 31, 1973. Together, they had two daughters, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His world revolved around them. Don enjoyed playing dominoes with friends, croquet, and pinochle with his in-laws, and getting together with extended family during holidays and other occasions. He also had a tight group of friends in Turnersville that enriched his life more than they will ever know.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Polly Bales; grandparents William and Sallie Ann Bales and Robert (Bob) and Lila Mae Hopson Alford, father-in-law, Gene McKibben; nephew, Todd Gunter; aunts, Lillie Mae (Babe) Bales, Irene Bone, Ruby Bales, Corrine Beaty, Oshie Lee (Ginger) Bales, and Bobbie Buckner.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcia Bales; daughters, Carrie Brizendine and husband, Wayne, Amanda (Mandi) Wilson; grandchildren, Hannah Epperson and husband, Clint, Carson Brizendine, Tyler Wilson, Mason Brizendine, and Abby Wilson; great-grandson, Cove Epperson; mother-in-law, Lois McKibben; sister, Ann Gunter and husband, John; brothers-in-law, Mike McKibben and wife, Susan, Brett McKibben and wife, Jennifer; sisters-in-law, Irene Klein and husband, Tony, Morgan McClendon and husband, Elijah; uncles, Tom Alford, Jerry Alford, and Johnny Alford; nieces and nephews, Calvin Gunter, Brandi McKibben, Jani Clinard, Cameron Harrold, Rebecca Baker, Madison McKibben, Mikey McKibben, Roman McKibben, Logan McKibben, Austin Klein, Jordan Klein, Kelly Klein, and Oliver McClendon; and several great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 6, Jonesboro, TX 76538.
