Daniel Baxter Gladden was known as many things to many people. He was a friend, a loving husband and a wonderful parent and grandfather.
To his friends, he was known as Dan. Those who knew him from a young age called him Danny, and to his grandchildren, he was Pops.
Dan, 80, died in the wee hours of the morning February 4, 2023 after a 14-year fight against cancer.
He was born January 18, 1943 to Baxter and Zeraldine Gladden. The son of a farmer, Dan was no stranger to hard work. He often fondly recalled those days that he shared with his sister Sissy.
Dan worked his way through college, graduating from the University of Arkansas first with his bachelor’s and then his master’s degree in entomology.
It was on the University of Arkansas campus that he met Jo Ann Nickell. With his devilishly handsome good looks, whom some have compared to George Clooney, he wooed Jo Ann. They fell in love and raised three sons Baxter, Joel and Jere.
Dan loved to travel. He and Jo Ann circled the globe, traveling to faraway places such as Rome and Brazil. He remained keen to travel even in his last days, still longing to go to Ireland. Jo Ann and Dan were married for 53 years.
In 2015, he lost Jo Ann, who was known as Jo Jo to their grandkids, to cancer. He was brokenhearted and took comfort in his friendship with Patt Johnson. Their friendship blossomed into love, and the two married in 2016.
Dan was knowledgeable about most anything and knew the answer to most every question on Jeopardy.
Every Christmas, he read of Jesus’ birth from the gospel of Luke and also “The Night Before Christmas” aloud to his family. It became a tradition that he started with his kids and continued with his grandkids and was a moment that everyone in the family looked forward to.
Dan was a proud member of the Westside Baptist Church in Greers Ferry.
His favorite John Wayne movie was “The Searchers,” his favorite artist was Merle Haggard and he loved his lakeside home.
Dan was an exceptionally good friend. He kept up with people who he knew as long ago as his high school years and always loved a good chat on the phone.
Dan will be fiercely missed by all who knew him including his caregivers Elizabeth Griffith, Faith Stolzer and Shanon Greer who supported him during his final days.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents Baxter and Zeraldine Gladden as well as his first wife Jo Ann.
He is survived by his wife Patt as well as his sons and their wives: Baxter and his wife Laura of Van Buren; Joel and his wife Kathy of Little Rock; and Jere and his wife Melissa of Asheville, North Carolina. He also leaves behind six grandchildren Alex, Kate, Gregory, Patrick, Emma, and Joseph and his sister Sissy and her husband Lynn Leek.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Nickell Family Chapel (south of Elkins), 14797 Hazel Valley Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701 with Pastor Doug Inzer officiating. Interment will follow in Nickell Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday, February 10, 2023 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Directions to Nickell Family Chapel: AR-16 east from Fayetteville: @ Durham, turn right on CR-47, go 4.4 miles. The chapel will be on the right.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either of the following: Danny Gladden Memorial Scholarship/Sponsor-Dumas High School Class of 1960 (checks can be made out to “DHS Class of 1960” and can be mailed to: Sandra Hunnicut Leek, 506 Henry Dr, Dumas, AR 71639) or Nickell Chapel, In Memory of Dan Gladden, 378 Brush Creek Dr, Springdale, AR 72762.
Danny was always the most kind, gentle hearted person you would ever come across. He and Jo Ann raised an incredible family. He will be missed here, but I, like many of you, are looking forward to our reunion. May God bless the family with peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Big Dan and i worked together at Western Ag Minerals from 1987 – 1994. He was well liked and respected by his customers and his competition. Dan was a man of his word and a handshake was better than a contract. We had some great times fishing on the White River. I know that Dan is in a better place and will be missed for a short time until we can join him!
Dan was a great guy. Met him at Westside Baptist church. Sat by JoAnn in the choir. Dan & I took some art classes together. He’ll be greatly missed.
Condolences to the family of AGR brother Gladden.
Max Parnell
Memphis, TN
Our condolences in the loss of your Dad. It’s a beautiful obituary. I will always remember Big Dan from my early days at Alpha Gamma Rho and his dedication to the fraternity.
I remember Danny well. Smart, cheerful, good friend material. I pray for comfort and consolement to the family.
ronknght@gmail.com
Dan B. Gladden was a man of Compassion, Humor, Caring and most Loving of his wonderful Family, Bennie Lee and I are so grateful for being a member of the Gladden Family. We can speak firsthand as to what a wonderful Human being he was, His present wife, Patricia, His Sons and Spouses and all his special Grandchildren, and his relatives will miss him dearly the rest of our lives. We send our condolence to all his immediate family, God bless you and Dan rest in peace, we love you.
I enjoyed seeing Danny at family reunions. He and I shared great grandparents so our mothers were first cousins
my sympathy to all his family.
I met Danny as a freshman pledge at Alpha Gamma Rho in 1961. He and I both majored in Entomology and we completed our Masters degree at the same time. He was a great friend and we kept up over the years at cotton meetings and at Heber Springs. He will be missed. God bless the family during this time.
You will be missed by us all…keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Condolences to Danny’s family. I rode the Dumas High School bus with him to elementary school as we went to JESSIE WEBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at Backgate. I remember him as a very sweet young student. My nickname was Johnny and another Johnny rode on the bus—probably Johnny Pennington. He would look at us and point to each of us saying “DONNY” DONNY’ in a playful way. He is resting in peace with our savior, JESUS CHRIST. In later years he contacted me on Facebook which I enjoyed.🥲✝️❤️🙏 DANNY was Anchored ⚓️. 🙏Praying for his precious family.
I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling. I am praying for your peace and comfort for you and your extended families.
I had the pleasure of knowing Dan at US Borax professionally. He was clearly a lovely guy to talk to and his sharing of some of his family life was inspiring. While we may not have shared the same political views, he was always affable and kind a person as you could imagine.
While I can not be there to celebrate his life I am sure there will be many others providing tribute to this Blessed individual who has family and friends near him during these tough times.
Peace and Blessings to you Dan and your family and friends.
Tom
I remember Dan from my time in Alpha Gamma Roe Fraternity 1962-1963. Always enjoyed visiting with him at AGR reunions over the years. We have exchanged both fun and political emails for many years. Dan was a good man, and a friend to all who knew him. Sincere condolences to the family. Peace be with you.
Forgot to sign.