of Mountain Home, AR
January 16, 1956 - February 22, 2016
Donny Catron, long time guitarist and SPBGMA award winning lead singer for popular bluegrass group, The Tennessee Gentlemen, lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis on February 22nd, at sixty years of age. Well known among the best in the music industry for his sky high tenor vocals, he also toured with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Jesse McReynolds and The Virginia Boys. Raised in Memphis TN, his residence for many years has been in Mountain Home, AR where he shared his joyful voice until the end. This earthly loss is Heaven's gain.
Donny is preceded in death by his parents, Danny and Alice Catron. He is survived by his siblings Donyale Ellis (Ken), Doyle (Lynne), Donald (Mary Lou), John Wayne and Golda Catron. Donny leaves two daughters, Bonnie Shaheen (Shannon) and Jennifer Eubanks (Terry). He also leaves behind his four precious grandchildren, Emma Eubanks, Bekah, Hannah and Daniel Shaheen, along with many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Roller Funeral Home officiated by Reverend Mike Powell. Visitation will be from Noon until service time.
Just found out that Donny had gone to be with Our Lord. May God continue to bless him & enjoy that voice that only God could give. You were such a blessing to so many and you will be missed. To Doyle & all his family, I send my prayers and sympathy for your loss. "I Can Only Imagine!!"
I am so so saddened by Donnie's death.I just found out late last night.I would have been with you Doyle and Lynn if I had known.Jimand I loved all of you for many years and will never ever forget our ffriendship.Love you you all always, Judy
Doyle, James & I loved Donny & are saddened by this loss. Donny was the best I had ever heard sing. I remember asking him when I first met him to give me singing lessons because I wanted to be able to hit those high notes like he could. We will miss him greatly.Please know that we are praying for you and your whole family.He was a one of a kind.
Cheryl
Our sincere condolences to the family of Donny Catron. It was a pleasure knowing Donny and we enjoyed his God-given talent. His memory and music lives on.
I had a chance to work with Donny he was always so funny and could make anybody laugh, greatest sweet and relaxing voice, Donny you will be forever missed, RIP my friend,
What a blessing to have met Donny about a year ago. He shared his music with me and I remember thinking that he had the voice of an angel. You're singing with the angels now Donny. Rest in peace
I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful singer. I requested many times that he sing Carmen and he was so sweet to do so. He will be missed not only for his voice but for his wonderful personality. Rest in peace Donny.
So saddened to hear of Donnie's passing. Was privileged to work festivals with the TN Gents and attended even more. Donnie was a pleasure to work with and a true gentleman, and he always gave his ALL to the audience. What an amazing talent he was. You are singing your very best in Heaven now. Will miss you, dear friend. God Bless to all the family.
Great musician, wonderful gentleman and good friend. Going to miss his stories and music.
Donny,
You always were the friendliest and talented fellow of the "lot!"
Everyone is going to miss your old "country smile, handshake and being on the same programs with you through the years!"
All of the Shady Grove Ramblers loved you each time you performed.........and we did many shows together!!
Godspeed to your family and all of your friends!
"Love is caring and caring is sharing...everything we have in life!"
Tom Uhr and the Shady Grove ramblers....Chris Burkhalter, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Loyd Hinch and Tom Uhr
Donnie was a very good friend of ours,he will be missed so very very much by so many people and fans,Our hearts go out to all of his family,And one day we,ll get to meet him again.our prayers are with all of you.Sing for the Angels in heaven Donnie. .God bless.
I meet Donny 45 years ago at the Westmont Baptist Church in Memphis. He was a great guy and always had a smile and I never saw him let anything get the best of him. I had lost contact with him since school but have thought a lot about him since I heard of his home going.I saw the video of the group for the first time yesterday singing in Texas and all I could say was wow! Know that you family is in our prayers!
Go rest high on that mountain....join in in that heavenly choir...The Lord needed another super tenor....May The family find peace during this grieving period.
So sorry to hear about Donny, he was a gret singer,he'll surely be missed
Donny me and my wife Kathy only new you for a very short time! i can remember the first time you visited our church at wises landmark missionary baptist church a few times in the last year. we know that we will meet again. we know that you will be singing for the lord with all your heart because you wont be in any pain anymore. take care and GOD BLESS YOU DONNY!. my prayers go out to you and your family!.
Donny was a very special friend. Having shared the stage with Donny many years ago as a former Tennessee Gent., He taught me so much about singing. We will all miss you. To the family, God bless you all and comfort you.
Rest well, Donny Catron... I was privileged to get to be your friend, spend some time with you and hear you up close. All my best to grieving family and friends. We will see you later.
Donny Catron, my Buddy, I will miss you my friend!!!
Blew me away first time I heard you sing live, and was a real honor to share the stage with you for several years. Rest in peace, go rest high on that mountain, your work here is done.....Sam and family
Loved your sweet voice, and our friendship over the years. You and Doyle are such wonderful blessings to Randy and I. I'll miss you always, now you can sing Lighthouse to Mama Mary again.
Love,
Brenda & Randy
I was a Tennessee gentlemen for a long time he was best singer I ever been on stage with I loved Donny he was a great friend
We were so blessed to call Donny our friend. This talented, dear, sweet man will be deeply missed.
Prayers for all who loved Donny. God must have a great gig coming up, as He's calling home all the best. The world is a little darker now... But the stars are shining brighter with you up there. I love you Donny. God bless you and your family! I know I'll see you again.
Sending our love, thoughts and prayers to Jennifer and to all that loved Donny. He was an amazing talent. His voice had a distinct clarity and resonance that touched thousands. He was a true Tennessee Gentleman and will most certainly be missed.
Donny was a member of our family long ago and remained so through the years. My sympathy to Doyle and Lynn, all his siblings, and Bonnie and Jennifer. There's a beautiful tenor now in that angel choir!
You were one of the best and will be deeply missed. I know the Heavenly choir became sweeter when you joined in.
You were the best & always gave your all
Good bye, old friend from many years ago; see you 'over there'.
Our sympathies and prayers for his daughter Jennifer and the entire family at this time.
Hey cuz, I can't imagine what it's like singing His praises face to face but it thrills me to know that you do. We love you very much and it won't be long we'll join y'all.
The many fans of the Tennessee Gentlemen Bluegrass Band and Donny Catron are saddened to learn of his passing. We loved Donny with a love that knows no bounds. He was a 'people person' from the word "Go". We shall miss his amazing voice and his wonderful, entertaining ways. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Donny will be missed by so many, not only for his amazing talent but his humor, his love, and dedication to music and to all who loved him. Prayers go out to the family and many loved ones. Donny, you can sing now, you are free from the burden of that early body and can sing with the heavenly choir. Until we see you again...
We will miss the man and the voice. So glad we got to see you in Salmon lake. Prayers for your family and for Doyle.