On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the age of 90 years, Don Wilburn Tarbet, a long-time resident of Denison, Texas, departed from his earthly loved ones, brethren, and friends and entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus, whom he had served faithfully and joyfully for the better part of his life.

Don Wilburn Tarbet was born in Lamesa, Texas on November 11, 1932 to Price Keith Tarbet and Ethel Tarbet.  Don was the second born of seven children (four brothers: Joe, Lynn, Bob and Sam, and two sisters, Nelda Lampe and Ruth Beardon).

In 1953, Don entered into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Don served during the Korean War as a corporal.  He discharged in 1953, from Ft. Hood, Texas, and went on to study the Bible at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.  Don was a fulltime gospel preacher for 65 years in Texas and Oklahoma.  He made numerous mission trips to Scotland and South Africa.  Don was instrumental in establishing the West Coast School of Preaching in Takoradi, Ghana in 1997.

Don was a formidable soldier of the cross engaging not only in preaching and personal evangelism, but also in public and private debates both oral and in written form. Don authored several books, biblical commentaries, and religious tracts. Don was also self-employed selling, preparing and installing granite monuments and tombstones throughout Texomaland.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Faye, and brothers, Joe Tarbet, and wife, Jerry; and Sam Tarbet, and wife, Linda.

Don is survived by his loving wife Jewel Thompson Tarbet, whom he married November 11, 2011; son, Perry Tarbet; daughter, Patti Irwin, and her husband, Bill; four grandsons (Don, and wife, Amanda; Rick, and wife, Laura; Ashton, and wife, Stevi; and Zack), seven great-grandchildren (Phillip, Joseph, Charles, Savage, Tinley, Adaline, and Jaxon) along with numerous nieces and nephews.  His marriage to " his Jewel ", as he affectionately called her, brought him extended family members (Debbie Soechting, and husband Toby, Joanie Grady, and husband, Andy, Donna Thompson, and Steve Thompson, and his wife, Dawnette).  Eleven more grandchildren (Kelly Grady Bagwell, and husband, James; Vince Grady; Dustin Soechting, and wife, Beth; Preston Soechting, and wife, Emma; Brandon Thompson, and wife, Lindsay; Jesse Brin; and Trinity Thompson); and seven more great-grandchildren (Bodhi Bagwell, Kaden Thompson, Natalie Thompson, Ellie Jane Soechting, Quentin Soechting, Vivian Soechting, and Arthur Soechting)

Funeral service will be Monday, March 27, 2023, 2:00 P.M. at Howe Church of Christ, Howe, TX. Officiating will be Brother Toby Soechting, Brother Doug McClish and Brother Jim Mitchell.  Interment will be a Garden of Memory Cemetery, Colbert, OKlahoma.

Family and friends visitation will be Sunday night, March 26, 2023, 6 - 8 P.M. at Howe Church of Christ.

Pallbearers will be Don Irwin, Rick Irwin, Ashton Tarbet, Zack Tarbet and Doug Brown.

While we grieve Don's passing, we are strengthened by the promise of God found in one of Don's favorite Bible passages: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)