Former chairman of the Board and CEO of Tyson Foods, Donald “Don” John Tyson, passed away Jan. 6. Friends, co-workers, relatives and loved ones gathered Feb. 3 at the Pat Walker Theater at Springdale High School to celebrate Tyson’s life.

Tyson is one of the three names that helped turn Northwest Arkansas into the place it is today.

“Don Tyson, Sam Walton and J.B Hunt transformed the northwest part of our state and made Arkansas a mecca for business,” said Sen. Mark Pryor, on the senate floor in an address about Don Tyson as reported by The Morning News.

Tyson Foods is one of the nation’s largest meat companies. Tyson was credited for transforming a small family business into a booming company.

“He was the single best known, most influential person in the poultry industry,” said Gary George, in The Morning News.

Dr. Jim Rollins sent a personal invitation to Har-Ber FFA members to attend the memorial service.

“I was honored to have been invited to such an important ceremony,” said senior Kelsey King, member of FFA who attended the ceremony. “It was really cool to see what all Don Tyson did for our community.”