Don Hartfield, Sr.

Don Hartfield, Sr., CLU, age 79, of Gulfport, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Don was born in Columbia, MS on July 4, 1946. He graduated from Gulfport High School and attended Mississippi State University. Don was the Mississippi Gulf Coast Thrifty Car Rental Franchisee, Owner/Operator.

Don was a CW4 and a highly skilled pilot. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army and over 20 years in the Air National Guard. While in the U.S. Army, Don flew Cobra Gunships with the 334 Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam. He was a Master Army Aviator receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with V, Air Medal with OLC, Air Medal with 20 OLC, Army Aviator Badge, and Army Commendation Medal with OLC, along with other commendations. Don also served with the 1108 AVCRAD (Aviation Classification and Repair Depot) in the Air National Guard. He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Association.

Don was a member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club, Krewe of Les Cavaliers, Harrison County Republican Club, and Gulfport Yacht Club.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Delma Sills and John Sterling Simmons; his father, James Thomas Hartfield; and brother, Robert Glenn Simmons.

Survivors include his wife, Linda “Chunky” Spruill-Hartfield; children, Kelly Griffin (Gary), Whitney Sumrall (Jason), and Don “Moose” Hartfield, Jr.; grandchildren, Bailey Griffin (Faith) , Colin Griffin, Webb Sumrall, Maddux Sumrall, Delma “Della” Sumrall, and Xander Hartfield; and his fur babies, Chance the doodle and Huey P. Long the racing dachshund.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mubeena Begum, Dr. Doug Lanier, the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care - West Railroad Street, Gulfport, Dr. Wakkas Tayara, Dr. Walter Surowiec, Dr. Joseph Bosarge, and the ICU team of Memorial Hospital Gulfport.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Don Hartfield, Sr.