Business leader Don Flanders has died (Updated)

Accomplished and acclaimed Fort Smith businessman and philanthropist Don Flanders has died. He was 87.

He died in his home Easter Sunday, said his son, Dudley. (Link here to read the formal obit for Don Flanders.)

Flanders founded and operated for decades a successful furniture manufacturing company (Flanders Manufacturing). In 1974, he was the first president of the Fort Smith Manufacturing Executives. He was one of about 10 manufacturing executives in the Fort Smith area who believed the local sector should come together to speak with one voice and to find ways to better support the manufacturing community.

He also served briefly in the early 1980s as the head of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission — now the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“He laid a lot of the groundwork for what we (AEDC) have today. The state of Arkansas owes him a debt of gratitude,” said Fort Smith businessman Chester Koprovic, who is a commissioner with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Sam T. Sicard, president and CEO of First National Bank of Fort Smith, praised Flanders for his service to the bank and community.

“He was a remarkable guy. … He was a very kind man, and very, very genuine. He was just really a true gentleman,” Sicard said. “He was very loyal to the bank, and very loyal to dad (the late Sam M. Sicard, former First National Bank chairman and president) and he really supported me and I was always grateful for that.”

Continuing, Sicard noted: “He always asked a lot of questions and really had a big picture view of things. He always had a lot of insight, a lot of insight to share.”

Like many in his generation, Flanders saw combat with the U.S. Navy during World War II.

“The fact I came out of it unscathed was one of the greatest experiences that I had. I'm not opposed to everyone having military service, I believe it's good, it's great training,” Flanders said in this interview with the Fort Smith Museum of History. “You learn the discipline and you learn how to lead and motivate. When your life depends on it, you learn how important training is. And being a gunnery officer, that was my job. You either defend yourself or you die, so that's a good motivator.”

Flanders also provided in the museum interview advice gleaned from his wartime and business experiences.

“Learn as much as you can in typical courses, but learn as much as you can also from everyone with whom you come in contact. Everyone that you meet along the way is going to play a part in your life, maybe significant or insignificant, but they're going to play a part. You need to profit from their experience. Don't be afraid to pay a price for achievement. I think sometimes the young people want things to come too easily for them. But once you've paid the price for it, the earning of it is a lot more dear than if it is handed to you on a platter.”

In 1954, Flanders and his wife, Phala, founded Flanders Manufacturing Company with just two employees, according to a bio from the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Flanders was a 2011 Industry Fellow with the American Furniture Hall of Fame.

He sold the company in 1969 to Fort Smith-based Riverside Furniture. At the time of the sale, Flanders Manufacturing employed more than 350 employees and was one of the largest case goods firms in the Southwest.

In 1982, Flanders acquired the Lloyd division of Heywood Wakefield Company and founded Lloyd/Flanders, a producer of Lloyd Loom wicker and woven vinyl for indoor and outdoor use.

During his years in the furniture industry, Flanders’ leadership and awards including the following:
• President of the Southwestern Furniture Manufacturers Association;
• Director of the Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association (SCFMA) for 12 years;
• One of the first recipients of the SCFMA Lifetime Achievement Award;
• Member of the District Export Council for the Department of Commerce;
• Director of the Associated Industries of Arkansas;
• Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business; and,
• Board member of First National Bank of Fort Smith.

Although retired from the furniture industry, Flanders remained active in promoting the sector and its history. He was a leader in the effort to create a Hardwood Tree Museum at Chaffee Crossing. The plan, first announced in November 2011, is endorsed by the History Department of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Fort Smith Historical Society and city of Fort Smith officials.

Flanders was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, and, according to the American Furniture Hall of Fame bio, is one of only 674 people since 1926 to be awarded the Silver Buffalo Award and one of even fewer to receive the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and the first from his state to receive each.

Flanders also served on the board of what is now the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Through his generosity, the Don and Phala Flanders Business Center at UAFS was dedicated in 1993.

His other active leadership roles in the community included the United Way, First Methodist Church, Sparks Regional Medical Center, Fort Smith Water and Sewer Commission, Fort Smith Community Foundation, and the Arkansas Sesquicentennial Commission.

Flanders was also the 2007 recipient of the Jack White Leadership Fort Smith award.

The City Wire will update this story when a formal obit is released.