Don Richard Bingham (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Don Richard Bingham, son of W. S. and Opal Aslin Bingham, was born January 15, 1939, in Lamesa, Texas. He departed this life Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, six months, and twenty-nine days.
On November 4, 1963, he was united in marriage to Thelma L. Pruitt in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lonnie Don Bingham; and a sister, Barbara Welcher.
Don is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years, Thelma, of the home; three daughters, Tanya Reagan, and her husband, David, of Madison, Alabama, Debbie Austin, and her husband, Rick, of Dixon, Missouri, and Patty Wolf, and her husband, Jon, of Springfield, Missouri; a son, Rick Bingham, and his wife, Linda, of Ridgely, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in west Texas and then moved to Arizona with his family where his father was working. He entered the military when he was nineteen and served his country faithfully in the United States Army for twenty-six years. He served two tours of duty in Korea, one in Vietnam, where he was in charge of supplying the troops with equipment and repaired parts, three tours in Germany, and one year at the Pentagon. He also was stationed in various locations in the United States. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and several other service commendation medals before retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major on January 31, 1984. He found being in the military rewarding and was proud that he was able to reach his military goal. After retiring from the Army, Don went to the Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson, Texas, and became an ordained pastor. He then served churches in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and finished his ministry at the Victory Baptist Church in Evening Shade. He had a heart for winning souls and taught many to lead others to the Lord. In 1996, the family moved to Lebanon and made their home.
Don was an active member of Community Baptist Church near Lebanon since moving here.
He became an active member of the Disabled American Veterans Post # 51 in Lebanon and served as their commander from 2002 until 2004. In his spare time he enjoyed doing woodworking projects. He was a very patriotic man who was very conscious of proper flag presentations and protocol. His family was very dear to him and he especially enjoyed having time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don put his faith in God at the center of his life and then his military service was second. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and was a good neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a kind and caring pastor, a dedicated member of the military, and a devoted family man. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Friends may call Sunday, June 18th from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m
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