Donald Ray Shairrick

UPDATE:  Service location has been changed. The service will be held at 1:30 p.m., at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in Crossett.
 

Donald Ray Shairrick, 76, of Benton, formerly of Crossett, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Donnie–affectionately known by most, Papaw to others–was a simple, loving, hard-working family man. He always had a way of making you feel like you were family–whether you were or not–and if you had a frown on your face, it wouldn’t be there for long. Anyone who has ever had the joy of knowing Donnie knows at least one of his crazy stories and that he always had a witty joke up his sleeve. There was never a dull moment so long as he was around, and he made sure of it.

Donnie, most would venture to say, was the hardest-working man you would probably ever meet. He worked in, arguably, the hardest and most dangerous industry in the country: iron work. He worked on bars of iron that were sometimes hundreds of feet off the ground; while enduring sweltering heat, brutally long days, and back-breaking work. He would be on the road for long periods of time, far away from home, doing things most of us would never do to provide for our families.

But when he was home, he made the most of it. You would either find him with his family, out hunting in the woods, somewhere on the water fishing, or even treasure hunting with his trusty metal detector. He was a redneck down to the bone, and he would tell you that himself. Give him a beer, a gun, a fishing pole, or even a can of sardines, he was happy as a clam. He didn’t normally dress up. He would always have a shirt with a pocket unless it were a special occasion; then, it was a suit with a pocket. There was NO in between.

You would likely find him listening to country bluegrass, Johnny Cash, or Creedence Clearwater Revival with a cup of black coffee in his hand. The sound of music would drift from the kitchen TV, mingling with the smell of good ole country cooking. From his beloved wife? Most of the time, but sometimes that smell would be his handiwork. He isn’t a man you would expect to know how to cook, but if you were to give that man a smoker, crock pot, or skillet, you better believe that you’re in for some good eating–especially if there’s beans or bacon involved.

He was cherished by everyone who knew him and will be greatly missed by many. He is now in his forever home and reunited again with his lifelong love, his wife Sherma. Just like the many stories he told, his story will continue to live on in the lives of those who had the blessing of hearing one of his.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Sherma Couch Shairrick; his parents, Elmer Monroe Ray and Ruby Murphy Shairrick; one son, Ricky Shairrick; brother, Larry Shairrick; and sister, Becky “Sissy” Henry.

He leaves behind one daughter, Melissa Shairrick Clifton of Englewood, FL; one son, Billy Shairrick (Dora) of Benton, AR; one sister, Rhonda Hein (Corky) of Crossett; and two brothers, Brent Shairrick (Jan) of Cotter, AR, and Joe Shairrick (Debbie) of Hackett, AR; along with four grandchildren, Magen Whitten, Meredith Clifton, Jordan Perez, and Michael Elliott; two great-grandchildren; his special companion of four years, Ms. Louise King, his riding buddy, “Belle”; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 24th, at Medders Funeral Home chapel in Crossett, with Bro. Roy Grantham, officiating.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wednesday at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in Crossett.

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