Don Duckworth

(From Parker Mortuary)

Donald L. Duckworth, Sr., age 83, Joplin, passed away at 10:55 a.m. Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Mercy Hospital.

Don was born March 21, 1933 in Norman, Nebraska to the late Hugh David Duckworth and Violet Isabel Youngson Duckworth and had lived in the Joplin area most of his life.

He worked as an employment placement representative for the Joplin Job Service for 22 years. He had also worked for the former Mity-Mite Fishing Lure Company, Joplin and the former Gateway Sporting Goods Store in Joplin and in Wichita, Kansas.

Don had a lifelong love of bass fishing. He was a member of the Southwest Missouri Bass Club for 35 years and a founding member of the Miners Bass Club. Don was a 50 year member of First Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War.

He married Betty Darter in February of 1957 in Springfield, Missouri. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include his children, Mica Plummer, Donald Duckworth, Jr., Cindy Duckworth; siblings, Rhona Donigan, Bob Duckworth; grandchildren, Kooper Duckworth, Beau Johnson, Marrissa Houston; great grandchildren, Raymond Houston, Rylan Houston, Jayden Houston, Nola Johnson, Korbin Johnson; and his furry companion, 'Little Bit'.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a brother, Tom Duckworth.

Services are planned for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel. Rev. Jamie Tickle will officiate. Interment will follow at Diamond Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kooper Duckworth, Beau Johnson, Don Duckworth, Jr., T.J. Houston and Darrell Brock.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.