Garland Don Island

Garland Don Island, 56, of Fayetteville passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, at Washington Regional Medical Center. He was born on June 22, 1958, in Clinton, Okla., to Jane Wolf Feathers and Donald Island, both of Clinton. Garland graduated from Tahlequah High School and immediately joined the military. After serving his term, he was honorably discharged from the Army. He attended Northeastern State University. He graduated from the dean's honor roll with a bachelor of arts degree with a major in psychology. Later in life he attended the University of Central Oklahoma where he graduated with a master's degree in education. Throughout his career, he worked as an Indian Child Welfare coordinator with the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe and as a program director for the Sac and Fox Nation and the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. He was one of the first responders to the Oklahoma City bombing of 1998, and helped with the immediate rescue efforts to assist and find survivors. He later became a part of the Red Cross Oklahoma City Chapter Crisis Intervention Counseling Program set up for those that survived and were traumatized during this event. These are just a few of the things he did for his country, state and tribe. He settled in the state of Arkansas working for the Northwest Arkansas Head Start Program as a family service coordinator. He ultimately became a part of the University of Arkansas where he worked with the housing and athletic departments where he quickly became a Razorback fanatic. It was rare to see him without a shirt on in support of his beloved Razorbacks. One of his many adopted mottos was "if it's too loud, then you're too old." He was preceded in death by his parents; niece, Kelsey Jane Denton; father-in-law, Floyd Pendergraft of Eureka Springs; and brother-in-law, Mark Pendergraft of Baton Rouge, La.; he will also be sadly missed by Avery and Trey Edge, and Jamie Chinault. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Pendergraft of the home; stepson, Jonathon Brogan of Fayetteville; stepdaughter, Ashley Wunstel of Fayetteville; sister, Edna L. Denton and husband, Keith, of Monroe, Mich.; nephew, Graham E. Denton of Marietta, Ga.; brother, Karl Hulcher of Oklahoma; son, Anthony Hulcher/Island and wife, Anna, of Broken Arrow, Okla.; grandchildren, Samuel and Mackenzie Hulcher/Island, and Dylan Hulcher, all of Broken Arrow, Okla.; mother-in-law, Dera Pendergraft of Fayetteville; sister-in-law, Debra Jones and husband, Lee, of Baton Rouge, La.; and brother-in-law, Keith Pendergraft and wife, Iris, of Independence, La. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, at Beard's Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Huffman officiating. Interment will follow at noon at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, under the direction of Beard's Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.