Clarence "Don" Downs

Clarence "Don" Downs, 97, of Hot Springs, passed away on October 5, 2026. Born on May 20, 1929, to Peg and C.H. Downs, Don graduated from La Jolla High School in 1947. After high school, he joined the Army and served in Korea. Upon his return, he completed his education at San Diego Community College.

Don embarked on a unique venture with a mobile chinchilla business and eventually moved to Little Rock, where he met and married Dorothy Sanford in 1956. He was involved in a retail credit company in 1958 and later worked for Barrett Hamilton in 1964. In 1971, he founded Don's Bar Supply, known today as Don's Supply, which is still successfully operated by his children, Sandy Downs, Dean Downs, and Karen Young

A passionate member of the Little Rock BOP Club, Don served as its president from 1997-1999 and was honored with induction into the BOP Hall of Fame in 2018, an achievement he shared with his partner of 30 years, Ruth Puckett.

Don is survived by his son, Sandy Downs, and wife Lisa; granddaughter, Megan Vandament, and husband James; great-grandchildren, Lillee and Jackson Vandament; daughter, Karen Young, and husband Mike; grandchildren, Jonathan Young and wife Shelley, and Lindsay Johnston and husband Brad; great-grandchildren, Grace Johnston, Thomas Young, and Cason Johnston; son Dean Downs and late wife Lori Downs.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114.  501-758-1170.