Obituary for Donnie Erskine Gaar
A celebration of life for Donnie Erskine Gaar of Calhoun, LA will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday December 5, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Calhoun, with Bro. Neil Everette officiating. Internment (processional led by Gold Wings Motorcycle Club) will follow at New Chapel Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home.
Family will receive friends for visitation, Wednesday, December 4, 2019, from 5pm-8pm at Griffin Funeral Home, 911 Warren Drive, West Monroe.
Donnie was born in Fort Necessity, La. on March 11, 1936 to Essie Nola Erskine Gaar & William Homer Gaar, both from the Winfield/Dodson/Gaar’s Mill area. He passed from this life on December 1, 1936 at the age of 83.
Donnie was one of the 1954 inaugural graduates of West Monroe High School.
In the early years, Donnie worked for Allstate as an insurance adjuster. He operated the body shop at Van Trow prior to the purchase of Mitchell’s Body Shop in downtown Monroe, which he & Bobbye operated for 35 years.
Donnie belonged to the Northeast Louisiana Street Rods car club & enjoyed collecting and restoring antique autos. He, and wife Bobbye, also enjoyed years of travel with their many friends of the Gold Wings Motorcycle Club. Donnie enjoyed yard work, hunting & fishing. He was a “jack-of-all trades” and could build, or repair, almost anything. There are memories of Donnie in the 1960’s, building a houseboat (with friend Arlon Terrell) in the side yard of the house, then having it hauled to the Ouachita River. The houseboat was enjoyed by both families for many years. Donnie was a good friend to many and loved his family.
Donnie was proceeded in death by his parents: Essie and William Homer Gaar; brother: Iley Gaar of Newellton, La.; sisters: Margie Beath of California, Doris Hamilton of Hawaii; and loyal pet “Bad Dog”.
Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 40 years, Bobbye Antley Pritchard Gaar of Calhoun; children (with first wife, Lottie Scoggins Gaar of West Monroe): Nora Parker (Matt) of Calhoun, La., Dana Duncan (Dale) of Woodstock, Ga., James “Randy” Gaar (Lisa) of Calhoun, La., and Charlotte Segovia (Oscar) of Clarkesville, Ga.; step-children: Teresa “Shorty” Stelly (Mitch) of Opelousas, La., Becky Tubbs (Gary) of Spencer, La., J.P. Pritchard (Diane) of Start, La., and Homer Pritchard (Debbie) of Rayville, La. Donnie is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews, and a host of family and friends. He is also dearly missed by his loyal dog, “Boots”.
Pallbearers: Brandon Parker, Grant Parker, Jonathan Gaar, Paul Cooper, Carlton Terrell, and Jeff Terrell.
Honorary pallbearers: Bob Harrell, Bob Chandler, Charlie Staples, Randy Eubanks, and Crawford Burk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Calhoun, 2981 Hwy 80 West, Calhoun, LA 71225
Griffin Funeral Home
West Monroe, LA
Family will receive friends for visitation, Wednesday, December 4, 2019, from 5pm-8pm at Griffin Funeral Home, 911 Warren Drive, West Monroe.
Donnie was born in Fort Necessity, La. on March 11, 1936 to Essie Nola Erskine Gaar & William Homer Gaar, both from the Winfield/Dodson/Gaar’s Mill area. He passed from this life on December 1, 1936 at the age of 83.
Donnie was one of the 1954 inaugural graduates of West Monroe High School.
In the early years, Donnie worked for Allstate as an insurance adjuster. He operated the body shop at Van Trow prior to the purchase of Mitchell’s Body Shop in downtown Monroe, which he & Bobbye operated for 35 years.
Donnie belonged to the Northeast Louisiana Street Rods car club & enjoyed collecting and restoring antique autos. He, and wife Bobbye, also enjoyed years of travel with their many friends of the Gold Wings Motorcycle Club. Donnie enjoyed yard work, hunting & fishing. He was a “jack-of-all trades” and could build, or repair, almost anything. There are memories of Donnie in the 1960’s, building a houseboat (with friend Arlon Terrell) in the side yard of the house, then having it hauled to the Ouachita River. The houseboat was enjoyed by both families for many years. Donnie was a good friend to many and loved his family.
Donnie was proceeded in death by his parents: Essie and William Homer Gaar; brother: Iley Gaar of Newellton, La.; sisters: Margie Beath of California, Doris Hamilton of Hawaii; and loyal pet “Bad Dog”.
Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 40 years, Bobbye Antley Pritchard Gaar of Calhoun; children (with first wife, Lottie Scoggins Gaar of West Monroe): Nora Parker (Matt) of Calhoun, La., Dana Duncan (Dale) of Woodstock, Ga., James “Randy” Gaar (Lisa) of Calhoun, La., and Charlotte Segovia (Oscar) of Clarkesville, Ga.; step-children: Teresa “Shorty” Stelly (Mitch) of Opelousas, La., Becky Tubbs (Gary) of Spencer, La., J.P. Pritchard (Diane) of Start, La., and Homer Pritchard (Debbie) of Rayville, La. Donnie is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews, and a host of family and friends. He is also dearly missed by his loyal dog, “Boots”.
Pallbearers: Brandon Parker, Grant Parker, Jonathan Gaar, Paul Cooper, Carlton Terrell, and Jeff Terrell.
Honorary pallbearers: Bob Harrell, Bob Chandler, Charlie Staples, Randy Eubanks, and Crawford Burk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Calhoun, 2981 Hwy 80 West, Calhoun, LA 71225
Griffin Funeral Home
West Monroe, LA