Don Dale Pendergraft

Don Dale Pendergraft, 90, born July 12, 1925 in Charity, Missouri to James Fred Pendergraft and Stella Catherine Pendergraft, was called home to join his heavenly father on April 20, 2016 in Denton, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynn Ellen Pendergraft, his son Kevin Pendergraft, son Kelly D. Pendergraft & his wife Rebecca, stepson William Richards, daughter Debbie Pendergraft, & daughter Lesa Vondracek & husband Joseph. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, & 3 great-grandchildren. Don was born during the “Great Depression” era of our country’s history, and was raised on a small farm outside of Charity, Missouri where he learned to apply a strong work ethic at an early age by his loving & hard-working parents. He was the 5th child in a family of 8 siblings, 3 brothers & 4 sisters, all of which preceded him. At the age of 9 years old, he was baptized in the Niangua River and became a lifetime member of the Charity Christian Church. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Europe in 1945 where he served in the liberation of both France and Austria during World War II. Don spent his adult life working as a union carpenter and construction manager, where he worked from coast-to-coast. He planned, supervised, and was instrumental in the construction of several diverse projects to include; a church on the College of the Ozarks campus in Hollister, Missouri, a suspension bridge outside of Watertown, New York, and the Army Corp. of Engineers Bonneville dam project in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon. Don retired in 1990 from Evergreen Airlines & Helicopters located in McMinnville, Oregon. Shortly after his retirement, he moved back to his home state of Missouri where he pursued his love of training, breeding, and trail riding Missouri Fox Trotting horses. He also enjoyed spending time working outdoors, traveling, volunteering at the Brighton Saddle Club, and visiting with family & friends. Visitation and services in memory of Don will be held at 10 am on Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Roanoke Church of Christ located at 305 Rusk Street in Roanoke, Texas. A burial service will follow on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 1 pm at the Charity Christian Church cemetery in Elkland, Missouri. Memorial donations can be received at the Roanoke Church of Christ until April 25, 2016 at noon. The Pendergraft family would like to extend a special thank you to the caretakers and medical staff at Heart-to-Heart hospice care for providing comfort and compassion in the last precious moments of our dear loved one’s life.