Donald Leroy Margheim, known to many as "Brother Don" and to others simply as "Dee," entered the presence of his Savior on July 15, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born on October 24, 1941, in Colby, Kansas, to Waldo and Mary Margheim, Don was the oldest of thirteen children. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and providing for others. Those qualities became the foundation upon which he built his life.

While attending high school in Russell, Kansas, Don met the love of his life, Judy Kay. He also began working in the oilfields as a roughneck while still a senior in high school. They were married on May 28, 1960, beginning a partnership that spanned sixty-six years.

The young couple moved to Sidney, Nebraska, where the oil boom provided opportunities to build a life together. During those years, Don advanced to the position of driller. According to family tradition, he drilled Nebraska's first one-mile-deep oil well, a story that reflected the pioneering spirit of those early oilfield days and the pride his family took in his work.

In 1968, the family moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where Don joined Virg's Testers and became an integral part of the company. After the company was sold, Don partnered with Virg to establish Star Testers. Through determination, integrity, and countless hours of hard work, they built the business before eventually selling it.

Don was a devoted husband and father. He made certain his family had what they needed. He involved his children in his own work and responsibilities, teaching them by example to work hard, be responsible, become independent, and never expect someone else to do what they were capable of doing themselves.

The years in the oilfield established a pattern of faithfulness that remained with Don throughout his life.

For nearly a year, his daughter Leisha faithfully invited him to attend Westside Baptist Church in Gillette, Wyoming. In 1975, on the day she was baptized, Don accepted her invitation and attended the service. During the message, the pastor prayed for Don by name. That morning, Don placed his faith in Jesus Christ.

Those who knew Don before his conversion witnessed a remarkable transformation. His devotion to Christ became the defining priority of his life. From that day forward, he developed the lifelong habit of reading God's Word every day, a commitment that never wavered until the day he entered the Lord's presence. Family members often recalled moments when someone would invite him to activities from his former life, and Don would simply reply, "I don't do that anymore. I accepted Christ." He never forgot that his own journey of faith began with one simple invitation. Throughout the rest of his life, he believed in the power of one invitation because he had experienced its power for himself.In 1984, Don answered God's call to ministry. He and Judy sold most of their possessions and moved to Oklahoma City so he could attend Oklahoma Baptist College. His lifelong commitment to teaching God's Word and serving others was later recognized when the college conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate.

Although Don served in many areas of ministry over the years, his greatest passion was discipleship. Whether working with prison reentry ministries, the Salvation Army, RU Recovery, or serving as assistant pastor in his local church, he found his greatest joy in helping people grow in their faith. For many years, he faithfully served alongside his son-in-law, Guy Kelly. He never sought recognition or the spotlight. He just wanted to be useful wherever God placed him.

People admired Don for his faithfulness. He was a peacemaker who could get along with almost anyone. He approached decisions thoughtfully and carefully, and churches quickly learned they could depend on him. The same work ethic that earned the respect of his coworkers in the oilfield became a blessing in every church he served. Wherever Don worshiped, he became someone others could count on.

Don loved studying Scripture and reading books that deepened his understanding of God's Word and strengthened his ability to teach others. He would often give books away, believing the right book in the right hands could encourage someone in their faith. But his generosity reached far beyond books. He once gave the family car to a teacher in need. At other times, he borrowed money so he could support missions and meet important needs within the church. Those who knew him often remarked that he possessed the biblical gift of giving. One of his favorite reminders was, "You can't outgive God."

Even after declining health limited what he could do physically, Don continued investing in others. He faithfully sent daily Bible lessons by text message, wrote and distributed gospel tracts, encouraged believers, and continued giving. In his final weeks, he quietly passed many of his treasured Bibles and books into the hands of others, still helping people grow in their faith.

Don's greatest desire was to point people to Christ. His family remembers him as a faithful husband, a loving father and grandfather, a dependable friend, a generous giver, and a man who quietly invested his life in others. The lessons he taught, the lives he shaped, and the faith he lived continue through the family he loved and the many people he discipled over the years.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Judy Kay Margheim; his son, Dirk (LaNita) Margheim; his daughter, Leisha (Guy) Kelly; eight grandchildren, Stephen (Geniya) Margheim, Daniel (Macie) Margheim, Matthew Margheim, Lydia (Colten) Murphy, Caleb (Michelle) Kelly, Hannah (Clayton) Stevicks, Joshua (Brooke) Kelly, and Rebekah (Ethan) Lunow; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Beck Murphy, Declan Margheim, Nehemiah Margheim, Emma Margheim, Carter Kelly, Chloe Stevicks, Clayton Stevicks Jr., Judson Stevicks, Jocelyn Stevicks, Jett Lunow, Poppy Kelly, Jaycie Lunow, and Weston Stevicks.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Jean West, Patricia Goodwin, Rebecca Dickman, Waldo "Woody" Margheim, Laura Faye Margheim, and Robert Margheim.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Mary Margheim, and his siblings, Katherine Coffman, Jerry Margheim, Steve Margheim, Mike Margheim, Kenneth Margheim, and Joyce Margheim.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Heritage Baptist Church, 4910 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heritage Baptist Church in honor of Don's lifelong commitment to the work of the Gospel.