Donald Necessary, Sr.

Donald (Don) Armistead Necessary, Sr., age 86, passed away at his home at Oakmont at Gordon Park on September 19, 2024 surrounded by his family and his beloved miniature schnauzer, Cash. Don was born on September 8, 1938 in Squire, WV to Robert Hatfield Necessary and Lena Kate Spence Necessary. In addition to WV, the family lived in Oak Ridge, TN and Baraboo, WI. In 1944, they made their permanent home in Tazewell, VA.

 Don was born without his right hand but it was never a disability to him. He played trombone in the Tazewell High School (THS) marching band and was an All-State drum major. He graduated from THS in 1956. He attended both the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and the Washington County Technical School where he learned the skill of drafting. He began his career plotting mine maps for a civil engineer in Premier, WV. In 1958, he moved to Bristol, VA to begin what would become a 42-year career with the Virginia Department of Transportation. During his tenure he held a variety of positions. As a sideline he often plotted maps for various local surveyors. After retirement, he worked on a consulting basis for Thompson and Litton.

 He met Beulah Bandy in front of the drug store on Main Street in Tazewell. The moment he laid eyes on her he declared “I am going to marry that girl”. He always credited her sister, Maggie Ruble for encouraging her to date and marry him. They were married October 10,1958 and she was the love of his life. He missed her every minute of every day since her death in February 2021. Don and Beulah were faithful members of East Bristol Church of Christ for more than 50 years.

 Don was passionate about Tazewell High School, especially football. He avidly followed the team over the years and had an encyclopedic memory of stats, scores, coaches and players. From 1968-1973 he was the voice of the Bulldogs doing the play-by-play for WTZE radio. In 1974, he also did play-by-play (WFHG) and public address for Virginia High School.

 He was a gifted writer and penned articles for the Clinch Valley News for several years. The column was called “Looking Toward the Southwest” and focused on local Tazewell community topics but primarily football. He co-authored with Terry Mullins and Tony O’Quinn a book of Tazewell football history from the inception of the program in 1926 – 2013. He was often asked to write poems for retirement, birthday and other celebrations. The Necessary house was full of love notes and poems he wrote for his beloved Beulah. He was known for his quick wit and funny sayings.

 At their 50th high school reunion, Don and Beulah along with several classmates from the class of ’56 hatched an idea to create the Tazewell High School Hall of Fame. This non-profit organization recognizes the contributions to school and community made by outstanding THS graduates. It also recognizes and awards scholarships to deserving students. Don was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

 Those left to cherish his memory are son, Donald A. Necessary, Jr. and wife, Teresa of Piney Flats, TN; daughters, Julia Hayter and husband Bill of Abingdon, VA, and Patty Turner and husband Vince of Bristol, TN; granddaughters Tiffany Jenkins and husband Jake of Elizabethton, TN, Sydney Bell of Charlotte, NC and Lauren Turner of Knoxville, TN; great-granddaughters Riley and Chloe Jenkins.

 Funeral services will be held on Sunday at  2:00 p.m. on September 22, 2024  at Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service officiated by minister Floyd Bailey. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. A committal service will follow at the High Point Presbyterian Church cemetery.

 Active pallbearers are Duane Barret, Bill Hayter, Conrad Hill, Jake Jenkins, Eddie McGuire, Terry Owens, Kerry Jones, and Vince Turner. Honorary pallbearers are Ken Addison, Miller Asbury, Jack Barrow, Michael Hatfield, Don Hunigan, Curt Jackson, Marion Warren, Brad Yost, lifelong friends John Boggess, Don Lee, Paul Puckett, Ron Thompson and Members of the Tazewell High School Hall of Fame.

 In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to: East Bristol Church of Christ 1625 Bonham Road Bristol, VA 24201 or Tazewell High School Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 255 Tazewell, VA 24651.

 The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caring and loving staff and nurses at Oakmont at Gordon Park.

The family of Don Necessary is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.