Donnie Ray Fulbright

Donnie Ray Fulbright, 66, of Mount Pleasant, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved most.

Born July 22, 1960, to Helen (Cude) Fulbright and William J. Fulbright, Donnie lived his entire life in Mount Pleasant. It was more than the place he called home; it was a community he devoted his life to serving. He graduated from Mount Pleasant School as a member of the Class of 1978.

Donnie's life was defined by service. He founded the Mount Pleasant Fire Department and served as its Fire Chief for 46 years. His commitment to the fire service extended well beyond his own department, as he served as an adjunct certified training officer with the Arkansas Fire Academy, helping train and prepare firefighters throughout the state.

He also served the citizens of Mount Pleasant as Mayor for 36 years, dedicating decades to civic leadership and the betterment of his hometown. In 2026, the City of Mount Pleasant honored Donnie with a plaque recognizing his decades of faithful service, a fitting tribute to a man who spent nearly his entire adult life working for the people around him. He also served on the Bank Advisory Committee for BancorpSouth and Cadence Bank for many years.

Beyond his public service, Donnie was a devoted mentor to young people. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 911, guiding numerous young men to the rank of Eagle Scout, and was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. To so many, Donnie was much more than a scoutmaster; he was a teacher, role model, and father figure. He invested his time, knowledge, and patience in helping young people see what they were capable of becoming. The lessons he taught went far beyond Scouting; they were lessons about responsibility, character, service, perseverance, and what it means to show up for others.

That commitment to others extended to the men and women walking through life's hardest moments. As a first responder peer supporter, Donnie devoted countless hours to firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and dispatchers, offering defusings and critical incident stress debriefings after difficult calls. He understood firsthand the weight of that work and believed no one who spends their life helping others should ever have to face trauma alone.

Donnie was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and was deeply proud of the brotherhood he found through Masonry. An avid competitor, he was also a highly ranked axe thrower with the World Axe Throwing League, once ranked 47th in the world, and competed internationally. His grit, focus, and willingness to try something new followed him everywhere.

Donnie was a master woodworker and the founder of Fulbright Cabinet Shop, established in April 1983. He operated the business for more than 40 years, continuing his craft right up until his passing. Through his woodworking, he built not only beautiful pieces, but lasting relationships with generations of families. His reputation for honest craftsmanship reflected the man himself.

Yet for all of Donnie's accomplishments, titles, and awards, his greatest legacy cannot be captured on a plaque. Donnie was simply a man who believed in helping people. He was the one folks called when they needed something fixed, needed counsel, or just needed someone to sit and listen.

He was the cornerstone of his community, his family, and the lives of everyone who knew him.

To his family, he was Dad, Papaw, husband, brother, and anchor. His greatest pride was the family he built, and his greatest gift was the love, patience, and example he gave them every single day.

His life was one of service.

His heart was one of compassion.

His legacy was one of love.

Donnie is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Fulbright; his children, Dana Ingram (Joe), Kyle Fulbright (Kim), and Amanda Fulbright; his grandchildren, Lainey Wagoner, William "Will" Ingram, Helen Fulbright, Taron Fulbright, Ceagan Condery, and Adalynn Fulbright; and his brother, Kenneth Fulbright.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen (Cude) Fulbright and William J. Fulbright, and his sister-in-law, Loretta Fulbright.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Assistance Program (ARLEAP) or the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

Services

Visitation: Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home, 79 Ballpark Drive, Melbourne, AR 72556.

Funeral Service: Friday, September 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at John E. Miller Education Complex, 265 College Dr, Melbourne, AR 72556.

Interment: Burial will follow at Barren Fork Cumberland Church in Mount Pleasant, Arkansas.

Officiant: Jared Humphrey

Pallbearers: Casey Shaw, Mark Ottervanger, Mike Moss, Drew Moss, Scott Gurke, and Todd Shaw

Honorary Pallbearers: Don McSpadden, Kerry Caraway, the Mount Pleasant City Council, and the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.