Donald Wayne Adlong
October 8, 1935 — October 13, 2024
Donald Wayne Adlong, of Conway died October 13, 2024, four days after his 89thbirthday. He was born to the late Herman and Rosie Adlong October 8, 1935, in Wooster (near Baytown), Harris County, Texas. He grew up in New Mexico and was a graduate of Hobbs High School where he was an all-state drummer.
Don attended New Mexico State for one year before transferring to Hardin-Simmons University where he marched in the Cowboy marching band and received his BA in June 1957. Don was licensed to the ministry as a young man but changed his career path to mathematics while in college. He met his sweetheart, Paula Ann Conwell and they married June 1, 1958, after a brief courtship. Matt was born a year later followed by David 15 months later. He taught mathematics in high schools in Corpus Christi and Abilene Texas while holding multiple parttime jobs while Paula pursued her nursing education. There were periods of time when Paula was out of town doing clinical rotations and Don was completely in charge of two toddlers in addition to working. Their young family moved to Champaign Urbana, Illinois for a year where Don completed his Master of Arts degree at the University of Illinois in June of 1963. After graduation, the family returned to Abilene where he taught at McMurry University for several years.
In 1967, the Adlong family moved to Conway, Arkansas where he received a significant promotion to teach at the University of Central Arkansas. They were sad to leave Texas, but Matt and David were promised new bicycles to ease the transition. They built their home in Lakeview Acres in 1968. Andrew was born four years later completing their family of five. Fire completely completed destroyed the family house in 1979. Within a year, their home was completely rebuilt on the same site. In 2023. Don and Paula moved to College Square Retirement Community.
Upon arriving in Conway, the family joined Conway’s First Baptist Church. Donand Paula taught Sunday school until the last few years; third graders, high schoolboys, college, young married couples and later senior couples. They supervised church youth trips and Don drove the bus on several occasions. In the 1980s, Donand Paula were involved in a lay renewal weekend ministry.
Don spent countless hours coaching his sons’ baseball teams. He supervised the YBMA summer baseball league for several years. Don loved sports and was a Texas Longhorn fan. He was an outdoorsman enjoying fishing trips with his sons and grandsons and an annual squirrel hunt with Dr. Bob McChesney, Dr. Charles Dunn and Dr. Darrell Kilman.
Don co-authored a textbook “Introduction to Mathematics” in 1970. He taught year-round at UCA. He was elected by his peers as President of the Faculty Senate. He retired in 2000 after teaching 33 years at the University of Central Arkansas. He continued serving in the mathematics field by spending a couple of weeks each summer grading AP Calculus exams and tutoring high school math students.
In his retirement, Don was active in the Central Arkansas (CARS) and American Rose Societies (ARS) serving as president of CARS and district director of ARS. He grew several hundred roses which he showed competitively.
Don, the baby of the family, was preceded in death by his brothers Herman Jr., Bill, John and sister, Hattie Ward and also by his son, Matt. Survivors include his sons David (Tomile) and Andrew (Darla) and daughter in law Rosemary; grandchildren Dr. Luke Adlong (Alex), Sally Schanandore (Cole), Amber Vandivor (Cameron), Ashley Frazee (Tyler), Justin Adlong (Brittni), Jacob Adlong (Mollie)and Joshua Adlong; great grandchildren Zeke Vandivor, Hattie Adlong, Audrey Adlong, Carson Vandivor, Addison Adlong, James Schanandore, Jordan Marie Adlong, Daniel Adlong and Parker Vandivor.
Don’s celebration service will be at Conway’s First Baptist Church at 1 pm Wednesday, October 16 followed by a family visitation. Memorials may be made to Renewal Ranch.
Don attended New Mexico State for one year before transferring to Hardin-Simmons University where he marched in the Cowboy marching band and received his BA in June 1957. Don was licensed to the ministry as a young man but changed his career path to mathematics while in college. He met his sweetheart, Paula Ann Conwell and they married June 1, 1958, after a brief courtship. Matt was born a year later followed by David 15 months later. He taught mathematics in high schools in Corpus Christi and Abilene Texas while holding multiple parttime jobs while Paula pursued her nursing education. There were periods of time when Paula was out of town doing clinical rotations and Don was completely in charge of two toddlers in addition to working. Their young family moved to Champaign Urbana, Illinois for a year where Don completed his Master of Arts degree at the University of Illinois in June of 1963. After graduation, the family returned to Abilene where he taught at McMurry University for several years.
In 1967, the Adlong family moved to Conway, Arkansas where he received a significant promotion to teach at the University of Central Arkansas. They were sad to leave Texas, but Matt and David were promised new bicycles to ease the transition. They built their home in Lakeview Acres in 1968. Andrew was born four years later completing their family of five. Fire completely completed destroyed the family house in 1979. Within a year, their home was completely rebuilt on the same site. In 2023. Don and Paula moved to College Square Retirement Community.
Upon arriving in Conway, the family joined Conway’s First Baptist Church. Donand Paula taught Sunday school until the last few years; third graders, high schoolboys, college, young married couples and later senior couples. They supervised church youth trips and Don drove the bus on several occasions. In the 1980s, Donand Paula were involved in a lay renewal weekend ministry.
Don spent countless hours coaching his sons’ baseball teams. He supervised the YBMA summer baseball league for several years. Don loved sports and was a Texas Longhorn fan. He was an outdoorsman enjoying fishing trips with his sons and grandsons and an annual squirrel hunt with Dr. Bob McChesney, Dr. Charles Dunn and Dr. Darrell Kilman.
Don co-authored a textbook “Introduction to Mathematics” in 1970. He taught year-round at UCA. He was elected by his peers as President of the Faculty Senate. He retired in 2000 after teaching 33 years at the University of Central Arkansas. He continued serving in the mathematics field by spending a couple of weeks each summer grading AP Calculus exams and tutoring high school math students.
In his retirement, Don was active in the Central Arkansas (CARS) and American Rose Societies (ARS) serving as president of CARS and district director of ARS. He grew several hundred roses which he showed competitively.
Don, the baby of the family, was preceded in death by his brothers Herman Jr., Bill, John and sister, Hattie Ward and also by his son, Matt. Survivors include his sons David (Tomile) and Andrew (Darla) and daughter in law Rosemary; grandchildren Dr. Luke Adlong (Alex), Sally Schanandore (Cole), Amber Vandivor (Cameron), Ashley Frazee (Tyler), Justin Adlong (Brittni), Jacob Adlong (Mollie)and Joshua Adlong; great grandchildren Zeke Vandivor, Hattie Adlong, Audrey Adlong, Carson Vandivor, Addison Adlong, James Schanandore, Jordan Marie Adlong, Daniel Adlong and Parker Vandivor.
Don’s celebration service will be at Conway’s First Baptist Church at 1 pm Wednesday, October 16 followed by a family visitation. Memorials may be made to Renewal Ranch.
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