Donald Meyer

Donald Christian Meyer, 85, passed away on July 1, 2021. Donald was born December 3, 1935, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Golding Cates Meyer and Julius Christian Meyer.

Don embodied love of family: his proudest roles were husband, father, and Poppy to his grandchildren. To his children, he bestowed strong work ethics, honest values, great senses of humor and optimism, and many life lessons. He was active in his children’s athletics, where he taught competitiveness and sportsmanship. He welcomed the spouses of his children with an open heart and open arms; they were extensions of family, not in-laws. He also relished the role of bonus parent to many of his children’s friends. He was a master storyteller to all who knew him.

As Poppy, a role he took very seriously, he led expeditions to the top of Pinnacle Mountain, pumpkin patches, and various fishing holes. He delighted in teaching all of them poker, in which he always left the game with less than he brought. Along with Dodie, he hosted epic annual New Year’s bashes for their grandchildren. Puzzles, arm wrestling, games, root beer floats, and dance lessons were a constant at all events.

He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Doris Anne “Dodie” Dillard Meyer; his children, Tracey Chesser (Joe), Terri Patton (Kyle), Dede Govia (Tony), and Damon Meyer (Elizabeth); and his nine grandchildren—Olivia, Mary Claire, and Emma Patton; Madeleine, Nelson, and Graham Govia; Owen Chesser; and Sarah and Christian Meyer. He is also survived by two siblings, Geneva Bond and Dodye Yancey, and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Julius Meyer, Doyle Meyer, and Joe Meyer; and sisters Hilda Bass, Sylvia Hoskins, Cecil Strozyk, Rose Russ, and Marion Brown.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Arkansas Chapter of the Alzeimer's Association ( alz.org/arkansas ) at 11300 N. Rodney Parham Road, Suite 205A, Little Rock, AR 72212.