Ronald P. Magness

MOUNT IDA — Ronald Paul Magness, 69, of Mount Ida, was called home by his Heavenly Father on March 30, 2018.

Ronnie Paul was born in Dermott, Ark., on May 12 1948, to Ruby and Paul Magness. He was educated at Dermott High School, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Ronnie Paul was a proud U.S. Marine and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, where he was severely wounded, being awarded the Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for valor. After his military service and a five-year stint as a Pine Bluff, Ark., police officer, he took a position with the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department, serving a total of

30 years prior to retirement in

2005. His last assignment was as the superintendent of the Lake Ouachita State Park, near Hot Springs. Ronnie Paul was a good husband, a devoted father and grandfather, and a good and loyal friend to all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ruby, and sister, Jeanette Stubblefield.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Hale Magness; daughter, Rhonda Isom (David), of Hot Springs; grandsons, Jakob Martin and Dalton Isom; five sisters, Juanita Robertson and Dolores Cornelius, of Monticello, Evelyn Roark, of Jennie, Ark., Helen Buch, of Harden, Ark., and Carolyn Bowden, of Yuma, Ariz.; two brothers, Tom Magness, of Hot Springs, and Winston Magness, of Terry, Miss.; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of wonderful friends.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Royal, Ark., with Brother George Lynch officiating. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Davis-Smith Funeral Home of Hot Springs, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of The First Baptist Church of Royal, Ark.

Guest registry at http:// www.davissmith.com.