Albert Donald Vangilder

July 30, 1933 - May 7, 2019

Albert Donald Vangilder went home to be with his Lord on May 7, 2019 at the age of 85. He was born on July 30, 1933 to Rudy and Mary Thomas Vangilder in Rector, Arkansas, where he would go on to spend his formative years. When he wasn’t in school, Albert was helping on the family farm and playing baseball. He graduated from Rector High School in 1951, though his life really began on November22, 1953 when Albert married the love of his life, Wordia Jean Huckabay. Albert and Wordia would go on to have four children: Eddie, Doug, Anita, and Gary. Albert’s love of farming carried his family throughout the states of Arkansas and Louisiana. He was an avid farmer of cotton, rice, soybeans, pecans, and cattle. He also owned a cropdusting company with his brother William and had his pilot’s license. One of the highlights of his career was in 1989 when the Vangilder’s were named the Jefferson County Farm Family of the Year. In 1992, Albert hung up his professional farming hat and became the proud owner and mechanic of Vangilder Trucking in Pine Bluff Arkansas, hauling various farm products across multiple states. He would go on to make hundreds of trips around the state of Arkansas, until his retirement in 2017. Albert Vangilder was a simple man, with an extraordinary life. Nothing made him happier than simply seeing his family together, while setting by his wife, Wordia. He gave the biggest hugs and had the best belly life a person could ever hear. He was an outstanding man who dearly loved the Lord and gave his life to Christ at a very early age. He was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Sherrill, Arkansas. Albert was preceded in death by his parents Rudy and Mary Thomas Vangilder (1996 and 2010 respectively), sister Betty Vangilder Kirklin(2014), and granddaughter Heather Vangilder(1982). He leaves behind his wife of 65 years Wordia Huckabay Vangilder of Pine Bluff, AR, three sons: Eddie Vangilder(Carol) of Pine Bluff, AR, Doug Vangilder(Jeri) of Russleville , AR, Gary Vangilder of Hot springs, AR, one daughter: Anita Howington(Rickey) of Pine Bluff, AR, 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one brother: William Vangilder of Rector, AR, one sister: Wanda Vangilder Crook of Louisiana, and many other cherished loved ones. Visitation will be held at Irby-Mitchell Funeral Home of Rector Friday, May 10, from 5pm-8pm with services being held Staurday, May11, at 1pm. Pallbearers are Charlie Howington, Dusty Vangilder, Tyler Vangilder, Michael Vangilder, Jamie Rios, and Eric Parkerson.