Former passes Obituary

OZARK - David L. Gibbons, Jr., age 77, who served as prosecuting attorney for the Fifth Judicial District for 21 years, passed away Monday, July 7, 2025, in Clarksville.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Ozark, Gibbons resided in Clarksville, Arkansas for the past 31 years. Prior to his time as prosecuting attorney, he practiced Criminal and Family Law.

He was Pope County's first Public Defender and served as Municipal Judge for the Ozark District of Franklin County. He was City Attorney for both Altus and Ozark, Arkansas from 1983 through 1986. As part of his duties as Prosecuting Attorney, Gibbons acted as Director of the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force, and, and served as Special Prosecutor for the State of Arkansas on multiple occasions.

Current Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips said Gibbons was a mentor and friend.

"I was his chief deputy prosecutor in the mid-1990s and went back to work for him as a part-time deputy in Franklin County in 2005," Phillips said. "We had several jury trials against each other, and I had the privilege of trying approximately 20 jury trials with him. He had a great analytical mind and trial instincts. He was a friend to my father and my son. He will be missed."

"David was a man of integrity, honor, and steadfastness, who was a fixture in the Pope County Courthouse for decades, and was always in pursuit of justice and the backing of law enforcement across the District. He leaves a true legacy to follow," Pope County Judge Ben Cross said Friday.

Gibbons sought his undergraduate degree at Hendrix College in Conway, AR and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology. He went on to the University of Arkansas School of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1981.

Gibbons served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1974 and was stationed in Panama for most of this time. In 1974, he transferred to the United States Army Reserve where he served until 1976, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in the Infantry.

The family plans to have a private Celebration of Life at a later date. Cremation arrangements were made under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.