Don Schnipper

Don Martin Schnipper of Hot Springs, Arkansas, departed his Earthly journey, on

Monday, January 4, 2021. Don was born on January 17, 1939, in Little Rock, Arkansas,

to Dorothy and A.D. (Buddy) Schnipper, but quickly relocated to Texarkana, Arkansas,

where he grew up and graduated from Arkansas High School in 1957. During his youth,

he worked at the family-owned, Schnipper Meat Market. After high school, he attended

Tulane University and the University of Arkansas where he was an active and lifelong

member of the Fabulous Xi Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

At the University, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Evans of North Little

Rock, Arkansas. After their wedding on June 3, 1961, Don attended the University of

Arkansas School of Law while Mary Ann taught elementary school. Upon his

graduation from law school, they relocated in 1964 to Hot Springs to begin and establish

his legal career and practice.

Schnipper, or Schnip to his legions of friends, was the consummate lawyer’s lawyer. He

found his life’s calling when he joined Jim Chesnutt and Ray Smith in 1964 at the then

Wood, Chesnutt and Smith Law Firm. He represented clients and tried cases in

courtrooms throughout the state, region and nation. Smith, Schnipper, and ultimately

Philip M. Clay grew their practice at their decades-long offices located at 123 Market

Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Schnipper represented clients such as Entergy,

Weyerhaeuser, Hot Springs Village POA, National Park Medical Center, Oaklawn

Jockey Club, the Miss Arkansas Pageant Organization, and hundreds of other

individuals, groups and companies. Don proudly maintained an AV rating as an

attorney throughout his long legal career.

While his law practice thrived, he also maintained a keen interest in community and

state-wide activities. He was a former President of the Arkansas Bar Association, a

founding member of the Five States Past Presidents’ Bar Group, past President of the

Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Hot Springs Country

Club, past President of the Arkansas Alumni Association, a founder of the original Magic

Springs, served on numerous boards at the First United Methodist Church, and virtually

every other civic or community organization in the area. Don, Mary Ann and their entire

family are and remain devout and ardent supporters of the University of Arkansas.

Don loved nothing more than enjoying his Monday noon meal with his Lunch Bunch, his

Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning golf outings at HSCC, or his favorite

pastime, attending the live meet at Oaklawn Jockey Club where he proudly sat for

decades in his box at the finish line. Don absolutely loved the horses and read and

worked the Racing Form religiously to see if he could outsmart the experts and pick a

winner.

In addition to his professional activities, Don was a warm and gracious husband, father

and later grandfather. He is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Mary Ann

Schnipper, his daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Dr. Robert Muldoon, of Hot

Springs, his daughter and son-in-law, Libby and John Vines, of Hot Springs, his

grandchildren, Carson Muldoon, Landon Muldoon, Reese Catherine Vines and Ellie

Justice Vines, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Travis and Anne Schnipper and Ken and

Gwen Schnipper, all of Texarkana, Arkansas, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judi

and James Dietz of North Little Rock and numerous other nieces, nephews and

extended family.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Don will be inurned during a private family

gathering at the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1100

Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Cremation Arrangements Entrusted to Arkansas Cremation. www.ArkansasCremation.com.

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