Lt. Col. Donald "Don" Chester Rierson, US Air Force, Retired, age 83, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas passed away March 23, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on February 9, 1942 to the late Dallas Charlie and Mary Virginia Rierson of Farmington, New Mexico.

Don was an avid sports fan and participated in several sports in high school and college. His senior year with the Las Cruces New Mexico High School Bulldogs, he led his team to the State Championships in football, basketball, baseball. He won the All-State Award in Football as the star Quarterback, in Basketball as Point Guard and in Baseball as Catcher.

While in high school, Don's Uncle Spud, a World War II pilot, influenced him to explore flying jet fighters. When graduating from high school, Don wanted to attend the Air Force Academy. En route to the Academy, Don took a football scholarship to the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. There he competed as starting quarterback with Roger Staubach, who later became star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. After trading snaps with Roger for a few days and realizing there was no way to beat him, Don called the New Mexico State (NMSU) football coach, Warren Woodson, and asked if his scholarship offer was still available. Receiving a Yes! answer, he immediately returned to NMSU in his hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Don played quarterback and defensive back for four years at NMSU. He also enrolled in the Air Force ROTC at NMSU to continue his desire to be a jet fighter pilot. After graduating from NMSU, he entered the Air Force and went to pilot training at Reese AFB, in Lubbock, Texas. After graduating from pilot training, Don flew a T-38 as a jet training instructor pilot, and an F-4E & F-4G as a fighter pilot.

Don was a combat fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and received the following awards: The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. He was a Distinguished Graduate of the Undergraduate Pilot Training, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College.

While at Randolph AFB, in San Antonio, Texas, Don met the love of his life, Charlotte Bailey Rierson. He married Charlotte on December 29, 1984 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They were happily married just over 40 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Charlotte was his Dream Lady, the one he waited for all of his life. He always gave her an anniversary card and present on the 29th of the month for 40 years. Their life was a beautiful love story.

Don was an Elder of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Fairfield Bay for many years & later became a member of West Side First Baptist Church in Greers Ferry, Arkansas.

He was an avid golfer and had 2 holes in one. He enjoyed fishing on Greers Ferry Lake and cruising with his dream lady and beloved dog Bella and later on Bella II.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his two sons, Rod Rierson and Todd Rierson. He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte Elaine Bailey Rierson of Fairfield Bay; step-daughter, Gina René O'Brien Hughes (Kerry) of St. Augustine, Florida; step-son, Jim Bailey Peacock (Jennifer) of Jacksonville, Arkansas, daughter-in-law, Chris Mahoney Rierson of Edenberg, Texas; his loving granddaughter, Madelyn Rierson, and his bonus grandchildren, Chris O'Brien (Yasaman), Kevin O'Brien (Erin), Rose Elaine Likollari (Dritan), Kerry Ann Partin (John), Patrick O'Brien, Brad Greenway Jr., Lydia Peacock, Eli Peacock, Oliver Peacock and Catherine Elaine Peacock; great-grandchildren Kian O'Brien, Adalynn and John Partin III, and Arian Likollari; two sisters-in-law, Debra Simmons (Royce) and Lana Coffman; niece, Kristy Kinney; nephews, Robert Simmons and Dante Chaverez; as well as bonus niece, Charlotte Elaine Uzzel.

Special thank you to his care givers Linda Sanders & Eddie Smith.

There will be a visitation and celebration of his life from 5:00-7:00PM on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at West Side First Baptist Church, 7025 Greers Ferry Road, Greers Ferry, Arkansas with Rev. Doug Izner, Rev. Bob Hadley and Rev. Mike Yarmen presiding.

There will be a graveside service with military honors on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:00AM at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W Maryland Ave, North Little Rock, Arkansas with lunch immediately following at Friendship Baptist Church, 10150 Brockington Rd, Sherwood, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Side First Baptist Church in Greers Ferry, Arkansas or to FFB Animal Shelter.