Fallen Hero: MSG Don Kent Locklar (Ret)

Canton/Jackson

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Funeral Home

Ott & Lee Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Service Details 

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on December 3, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home. MSG Don Kent Locklar (Ret), age 78, who had served within the 114th ASG and the 185th Aviation Brigade has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.   

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service details: 

SFC (Ret) Don Kent Locklar departed this life on the 3^rd day of December, 2023 after a short battle with cancer at St Dominics Hospital.  He was born November 6, 1945 in New Brockton, Alabama.

He took pride in being a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, protector and provider along with being a loyal friend to many.  He had such a strong heart and a strong will. Don was always there for his family and friends whenever they needed any guidance or support.  He was a dedicated hard worker even after he retired from the military. He loved anything to do with the outdoors, spending much of his time at his beloved deer camp hunting waiting for that Big Buck to cross his path.  While not hunting you could find him on his back porch for relaxation or the front porch watching the sunrise onto the sunset.  His favorite football team was Alabama, and anytime there was a game on you would find him glued to the TV always hoping for them to win.  (Roll Tide) Or he would watch the many reruns of Westerns, Weather or Wrestling.

Don (D.K.) was a Vietnam Veteran and continued serving his country by enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard.  He served with the 114^th ASG as well as the 185^th Aviation Brigade, working also as a full- time technician at MS ARNG AASF #1 facility at Hawkins Field as a helicopter mechanic and also had a deployment to Kuwait during these years.

Don was a lifetime member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard as well as the MS NG NCO Assn of Mississippi, serving as a director and several committee positions through the years.  He attended many State and National Conferences as a delegate voicing his concerns for the welfare of soldiers and airman.  He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW.

There are so many memories that we all could share but this is just a short summary of his time here with us. His love and dedication will live on with each and every one of us forever. He was the rock and the glue to our family. We will miss him dearly. We have comfort knowing that we will see him again in Eternity.

Don is preceded in death by his parents John Kenneth and Francis Inez Locklar.  He is survived by his loving Wife of 52 years Linda Sue of Canton; Daughters, Donna (Dion) Foster, Brandon, MS and Christy Knapp (fiancé’ Wayne Griner) Only Grandson Landyn Knapp, Brandon, MS; Brothers and Sister, Larry (Gail) Locklar, Mike (Marilyn) Locklar, Barbara Gardner, Mark Locklar numerous nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Wounded Warriors of Mississippi or First Baptist Church, Canton, MS