Longtime Little Rock business columnist Donald dies

Leroy Donald, a business columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, died this weekend. He was 73.

Evin Demirel of the paper writes, “Friends and co-workers lauded his recall of the histories of local businesses.

“‘He was really good at going out and getting the small neighborhood news, in places like the Heights and Hillcrest,’ said Roger Hedges, assistant managing editor of the business section at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

“‘He was kind of a gentleman historian,’ said business editor Jack Weatherly, who recalled that Donald loved to unravel stories in the newsroom after turning in his weekly column on Thursdays. ‘His column was called ‘Everybody’s Business.’ Well, he seemed to know everybody.’

“Donald’s column last ran on June 28. In recent years, it was published just in Little Rock editions.”