of Helena, AR
March 27, 1926 - October 5, 2011
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.
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15 Condolence(s)
Janie Scaife
Monday, October 10, 2011
Bev & Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bill Ritchie
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Our condolences to the family. Although it has been many years, we remember Thompson well from our visits to Helena.
Bill Ritchie
Jack Ritchie
Robin Ritchie.......First Cousins
Ralph Balch
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Bev and family; I was sorry to learn of the passing of Mr. Thompson. I always enjoyed visiting him and exchanging Marine and Boy Scout stories. He was a fiine gentleman. I am sorry for your loss.
Vincent Pittman
Friday, October 7, 2011
Mr. Hargraves was a long time friend of my Dad' and my favorite insurance man of all time! He will be missed dearly by not only family and friends but also by all the people who he touched in life. May GOD BLESS!
Bill & Joneta Kelley
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our prayers are with your families,....
Fran and Don Tate
Thursday, October 6, 2011
I know this is a difficult time for you all. Please know that we are thinking of you and send love and prayers.
Jerry & Peggy Kelley
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Bev, Alan, and family, we are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Thompson was a very unique and trustworthy friend. All of Helena will miss him.
Eric Evans
Thursday, October 6, 2011
So sorry to hear of the passing of my last living uncle. I know he will be missed by his family.
David Elmore
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dear Hargraves Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss. Mr. Hargraves was an inspiration to many.
We here at AETN's World War II Oral History Archive, In Their Words are indebted to him. His story of courage and sacrifice during World War II are nothing short of astonishing. When we interviewed him in his office on May 7, 2008, little did we know what a great man he is.
He and his generation are credit to our nation and we, all should be grateful for them. May God bless you all.
Sincerely,
David Elmore
Stewart Juengel
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thoughts with you all.
Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Henry and I are so sorry to hear about your loss. He was a sweet man, and I know he will be missed by everyone that knew him. You will be in our prayers as you go through this sad time. Henry and Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Becky Gattas
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
You and your family are in my prayers. May your heart be warmed by his memory to give you solace.
God be with you and bless you always.
Sandy Owens
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Bev, Allen and family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. I will never forget all of the many war stories and good times we had talking at the office. He was always kind and sweet to me everyday. I will miss him.
opal j. jenkins
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
To Thompson's Family. May God Bless you all at this time of sorrow. Thompson was a good man and I thank God for his life and always enjoyed his "war" stories he told. Thank God for Thompson and all his buddies that fought for our Freedom.
Pat Williams
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
So sorry about Thompson. He was always so friendly and brightened my day when I saw him.