Fallen Hero: Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Don Hartfield, SR.

Gulfport, MS

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Funeral Home

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in 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 memorializing 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 July 2,  2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Don Hartfield, SR., age 79, Gulfport, MS, who served in the 1108th Aviation Classification and Repair Depot has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.

It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.

A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s 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 brightly, and live so freely.

You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. 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:

Don Hartfield, Sr., CLU, age 79, of Gulfport, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Don was born in Columbia, MS on July 4, 1946. He graduated from Gulfport High School and attended Mississippi State University. Don was the Mississippi Gulf Coast Thrifty Car Rental Franchisee, Owner/Operator.

Don was a CW4 and a highly skilled pilot. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army and over 20 years in the National Guard. While in the U.S. Army, Don flew Cobra Gunships with the 334 Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam. He was a Master Army Aviator receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with V, Air Medal with OLC, Air Medal with 20 OLC, Army Aviator Badge, and Army Commendation Medal with OLC, along with other commendations. Don also served with the 1108 AVCRAD (Aviation Classification and Repair Depot) in the Air National Guard. He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Association.

Don was a member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club, Krewe of Les Cavaliers, Harrison County Republican Club, and Gulfport Yacht Club.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Delma Sills and John Sterling Simmons; his father, James Thomas Hartfield; and brother, Robert Glenn Simmons.

Survivors include his wife, Linda “Chunky” Spruill-Hartfield; children, Kelly Griffin (Gary), Whitney Sumrall (Jason), and Don “Moose” Hartfield, Jr.; grandchildren, Bailey Griffin (Faith) , Colin Griffin, Webb Sumrall, Maddux Sumrall, Delma “Della” Sumrall, and Xander Hartfield; and his fur babies, Chance the doodle and Huey P. Long the racing dachshund.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mubeena Begum, Dr. Doug Lanier, the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care – West Railroad Street, Gulfport, Dr. Wakkas Tayara, Dr. Walter Surowiec, Dr. Joseph Bosarge, and the ICU team of Memorial Hospital Gulfport.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Don Hartfield, Sr.