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Submitted: 8/6/19 • Approved: 8/13/19 • Last Updated: 8/16/19 • R1274584-G1274583-S3
D Thompson
Mar 27, 1926 - Dec 5, 2011
Roseann
Jan 20, 1927 - Feb 21, 1996
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
D.T. Hargraves, Jr. was born at Helena, Arkansas on March 27, 1926, first son of D.T. Hargraves and Mary Blanche Ellington Hargraves, who preceded him in death. He attended Sacred Heart Academy, then Helena High School, then three years at Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville until he was called to the Marines for active duty in late 1943. After attending boot camp at the San Diego Marine Base, and after further training at two other camps, he was shipped out in early 1944 as a member of the “F” company, 2nd Battalion, First Marine Regiment, of the 1st Marine Division of Pavuvu in the Solomon Island and then Guadacanal. He achieved the rank of platoon sergeant for the machine gun unit for the battles of Peleliu and then onto Okinawa. After those battles were won, he was shipped to China to disarm the surrendered Japanese and load the prisoners onto ships for processing. He returned to the U.S. after 29 months overseas and was Honorably Discharged at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago on June 1, 1946. He then returned to the University of Arkansas to complete his degree and then attended Boston University for further insurance education. He then returned to Helena, Arkansas, to join his father at Hargraves Insurance Agency as a partner in the firm that his father had started in 1926. He was very active in the American Legion and was a continuous member for over 60 years, and served as Past Commander of Helena Post #41, past District & Commander, past 7th District Executive Committeeman for the State of Arkansas for 25 years, past State Vice Commander and past State Commander in 1964. He was State Commander of the 40 and 8 in 1958, past President of the Kiwanis Club of Helena-West Helena and past President of the Eastern Arkansas Young Men’s Club in 1952. He was Chairman of the Helena City Planning Commission for many years and past President of the Phillips County Board of Realtors. In addition, he became the youngest Eagle Scout in 1940 in the history of the organization, at that time. He was an avid Arkansas Razorbacks fan, having been a Scholarship Donor for over 48 years and once attended every Arkansas football game, both in-state and out-of-state, for 43 straight years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena. His love of the U.S. Marine Corps never waived. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the First Marine Division Association for many years, and has served a number of years as the State Judge Advocate of the Arkansas State Marine Corps League. His Marine outfit, the 1st Marine Division, was recently honored in Omaha, Nebraska, at the formal dedication of the recent TV series, “Pacific”, where he was flown to Omaha and escorted by a Marine Guard for the entire weekend of ceremonies. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity while attending the University of Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Roseann Evans Hargraves, in 1996.
He is survived by his three sons, Bev Hargraves (Norma) of Helena, Dr. Bill Hargraves (Ines) of Panama City, Florida, and Alan Hargraves (Lindalu) of Helena, along with four grandsons, four granddaughters and four great-grandchildren, and his caregivers, Mary and Delana Henderson.
Funeral services for D.T. Hargraves, Jr. will be at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena on Saturday, October 8, 2011. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Helena.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Hargraves had requested that donations be sent to 1st Marine Division Association, 403 N. Freeman Street, Oceanside, California 92054 (phone 760-967-8561), to fund their ongoing scholarship and veterans programs.
Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571.
Contributed on 8/6/19 by sandycurry10
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Record #: 1274584