Rodney David Damron, of Sheridan, Arkansas was born April 1, 1939 in Oakland, California, the son of the late Jack P. Damron and Elizabeth Woodbury Damron. He was a graduate of Galileo High School in San Francisco, California. He served in the US Army and was a Merchant Seaman.
He taught carpentry at the School of the Ozarks in Branson Missouri. After working as a termite inspector and claims repair Supervisor for Orkin exterminating Company, he started his own business and was the owner/operator of Damron Enterprises Custom Woodworks and Cabinets, and  shortly afterwards, added Papa Smurph's Dive Shop.

"Papa Smurph" passed away at his home on Monday, May 7, 2018 at the age of 79.  Rod was first and foremost a design engineer. Many property owners have been amazed by his ability to grasp the mechanics of the problem, formulate a design, render it in a computer and then complete the project, often working alone. He lived for the challenge of a difficult project.

Over the many years he lived in central Arkansas, he became a teacher, mentor and guide to hundreds of adventure-seeking people who wanted to experience the wonders of SCUBA and travel throughout the Caribbean dive sites. He never lost his enthusiasm for the sport or his youthful excitement for exploring. He knew more about the underwater world of Lake Ouachita, in Hot Springs, than anyone.

Rodney was a worker, a mover, a carpenter, a strongman, a driver and a Dad. He loved his 5 children with all his heart.  He taught them to be strong independent individuals who could fix most anything. He was "Bubba" to his 9 grandchildren, many to whom he passed his love of diving. He was a captain, a knotsman, a joker, a bus-sinking pirate and a friend. His language was often colorful, a throwback to the sailor that he was. He loved family, gadgets, crab legs, rum, snacks, tools, sand between his toes, trucks, his many friends and his tireless companion/partner/interpreter...Sue.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Scarlet Williams.

Survivors: wife of 49 years, Susan Kay Weeks Damron of Sheridan and their beloved dog Sweet Pea; son, Rodney David Damron II and wife Ellen of Kirkland, Washington; daughters, Rozlyn Anderson and husband Joe of Naches, Washington, Starlene Damron of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Rhonda Pruitt and husband Chris of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; sister, Peggy Crowder of Newark, California; 9 grandchildren, Remington and Elizabeth Anderson, Destin and Preston Pearson, Collin, Bradley, Alexander, Parker and Eli Pruitt and a host of extended family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 14, 2018 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 P.M.

Honorary pallbearers are Mike Galster, Tim Williamson, Mike Luers, Collin Pruitt, Bradley Pruitt and Alexander Pruitt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, #1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202.