Jerry Douglas

1968 ~ 2022

Date of Death: June 10, 2022

In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Douglas family. Jerry’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mr. Jerry Don Douglas.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

Jerry Don Douglas “Gee-Don” was a blessing from God to the late Thomas and Mamie (Norwood) Douglas on Friday, February 16, 1968 in Van Buren, Arkansas. He was likewise called by God to take his eternal rest at the family home on Friday, June 10, 2022 from Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was also preceded in death by his brother: Jimmy Lee Douglas “Lil’ Gee Don”; his paternal grandparents: Charley and Mary (Cooper) Douglas and his maternal grandparents: Alex and Hazel E. (Reed) Norwood.

Gee-Don moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas with his parents and younger brother and baby sister: Hazel Janetta when he was a child. He attended the Public School System of Fort Smith: Spradling Elementary, Kimmons Junior High and Northside High (Class of 1987). He was a member of the Boys and Girls Club in Van Buren and Fort Smith where he played football alongside his little brother, Jimmy. He was given the nickname “Brother” by Jimmy. They also played baseball for the First Freewill Baptist Church in Fort Smith for several years.

Gee-Don accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Van Buren by the late Rev. R. M. Jordan. Out of his two siblings, he was more mellow and reserved with a uniqueness about himself. He stayed pretty much to himself where he only kept a select few friends: Calvin “Bird” Christian, Kevin McElwee, Sr., Kirk Gray, Melvin Fields and his own brother. He acquired the nickname “Smokey” through his friends. Through his teenage years, Jerry, Kevin, and Bird where inseparable. Where you would have seen one, you were sure to see the other two not far behind; this friendship became family. He was also known for giving his family and friends each a nickname.

Gee-Don enjoyed listening to music, watching sports and cooking. He would always stay in the kitchen watching his mother cook. With his family, he later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he resided for over 20 years. Even though he was in Tulsa, he kept a cooking relationship with his mother. He would sometimes call her and converse for hours about recipes. He worked as a cook in the Healthcare Industry for many years in Fort Smith and Tulsa. He moved back to Fort Smith once his health began to fail him. He loved his four children and grandchildren; he would talk about them often in his own special way. He also had a special love for Requea “Kiya” Flemons, whom he dated for over 20 years and she is the mother of two of his children.

Gee-Don will be forever cherished and remembered by his two sons: Bryton Hutcheson of Van Buren, Arkansas and Tyquan Douglas of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two daughters: Anita Middleton of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Ceyairra Flemons of Tyler, Texas; his five grandchildren: Jeiyden, Mcenzie, Ferrah, Benjamin and Olivia; his sister: Hazel (Marvin) Verser of Little Rock, Arkansas, a niece, five nephews, seven aunts, three uncles, many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, June 24, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Van Buren, Arkansas 72956.

Committal service and final resting place will be at Crown Hill Cemetery Van Buren, Arkansas.