Obituaries
Notice of Passing
GEORGE D. PUCKETT George Dennis Puckett, 88 of Springdale formerly of El Dorado, died on Friday, September 8, 2017 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, AR.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Young’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Micah Puckett officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Library or Building Fund, 701 S. West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online registry is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
Reminder of Services
JAMES D. TABOR Services for James (Pat) Donald Tabor, 89, of Smackover, will be at 2 p.m. today at Maple Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Benji McCann and the Rev. Lawrence Harrison officiating. Burial will follow at the Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to Maple Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund at 1306 Maple Avenue, Smackover, AR 71762.
Obituaries
DAVID W. DISON David Wayne Dison, 63 of El Dorado, passed away Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Baptist Health Center in Little Rock.
Born August 31, 1954 in Warren, AR, he was the son of Jack and Geneva Lephiew Dison who preceded him in death. Mr. Dison was a truckdriver.
Survivors include his wife, Paula Dison of El Dorado, a daughter, Stacy Lynn King (Lance) of Smackover, a son, Joseph Dison (Ebony Thomas) of Rogers, AR and grandchildren, Vanessa Dison of Rogers and Justin King (Marissa) of Smackover along with a great-granddaughter, Kaylynn King of Smackover. Surviving sisters are Eva Sue Shannon of Fairfield Bay, AR, Lois Lewis of Waldo, AR, Sharon Kay Graham (Paul Temple) of Houston, TX and Marilyn Sue Roy (Ron) of Monroe, LA.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, September 11, 2017 at Young’s Funeral Directors.
An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
JAMES M. FRANKLIN James Millard Franklin, 92, of Gurdon, passed away on September 8, 2017, in the comfort of his home as was his last wish.
James was born on April 3, 1925, in rural Gurdon to the late James Andrew and Hattie Elizabeth (Humphries) Franklin.
James was a welder y vocation and spent 50-plus years crisscrossing the United States working on pipelines and mentoring many a young welder. Although his formal education was limited, he was one of the smartest men around. There wasn’t a problem he couldn’t solve, a structure he couldn’t build or an old Jeep he couldn’t remake and drive. He delighted his grandchildren by building big wheel tricycles from old bicycle parts.
One of the last living members of the “greatest generation,” James served in World War II as a bombardier in a B-24 aircraft in Europe flying 50 missions. He was awarded the Purple Heart when his plane was shot down. He was a member of the International Order of the Hoo-Hoo, a Mason, a 65-year member of Pipeliners Local Union 798, a member of the 376th Bomb Group Association, and the First Baptist Church in Gurdon where, until his health declined, he was the man you called when anything needed “fixing.”
James was a life-long Democrat, avid hunter and fisherman, solver of the world’s problems with his coffee-drinking buddies and a fixture at the Gurdon Senior Center for lunch.
His good-natured wit will be missed by all who knew him.
James was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Verna Minton and brothers Dudlie, Espa, Milton, Doyle, and Roy and first wife Betty Davis Franklin.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sarah Ann Franklin; a brother, Charner; three children, Donna (Gary) Bevill, James Millard (Suzanne) Franklin, Jr. and Teresa Zeigler; five grandchildren, David Franklin (Darcy) Bevill, Laura Beth (Andy) Matson, Michael Zeigler, Chandler Franklin and Madison Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Katherine Elizabeth, Jackson James and Olivia Margaret Bevill who worshipped their Great Poppa.
Visitation will be at Pharr Funeral Home in Gurdon on Sunday, September 10, 6:00–8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, September 11 at First Baptist Church in Gurdon, with interment to follow in Bethlehem Cemetery, Gurdon, AR, under the direction of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon, AR.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Cemetery Fund at First State Bank of Gurdon or First Baptist Church of Gurdon.
Online guest book available at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com.
ROBERT STARK Robert " Bob" Stark, 64, of El Dorado passed away Friday, September 1, 2017. Bob was born August 21,
1953 to William Alvin Stark and Sue Reese
Stark.
H e was an
El Dorado High School graduate and worked as a Heavy Equipment operator for many years.
He is preceded in death by his father William A. Stark.
Surviving him are his Mother Sue R. Stark of Garfield, Arkansas; his daughters Amber Nicole Leveritt (Michael) and Heather Marie Stark both of El Dorado. He will be greatly missed by his grandsons Dakota Williams and Jesse O'dell. Also surviving him are his brother William Alvin Stark Jr. (Charlotte) of Marietta, Georgia and his sister Judy Bell (Bill) of Garfield, Arkansas.
A graveside service will be held at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens on September 11 at 2:00 P.M with Bro. Keith Nutt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS), 1000 Sunset Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online guest registry is available at www. youngsfuneralhome.com. RICHARD A. WOOD Richard Alan "Ricky" Wood, 52 of El Dorado was eternally healed on Friday September 8th 2017 in Little Rock.
His faith became his eyes as he went to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family and many close friends. He was born December 7, 1964 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Survivors include his parents Leon and Betty Compton Wood of E l Dorado; his loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Stacey of El Dorado; a daughter Katelyn (Keith) and a son Austin (Olivia) of El Dorado; a brother Steve (Beth) of Pikeville, North Carolina; as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
A graduate of Louisiana Tech University in 1988 with a degree in business management. He married Stacey, the love of his life on September 12, 1992. He worked as an insurance agent for the Union County Farm Bureau for 24 years and was a member of Mt Union Baptist Church.
Ricky was very involved in his community including helping to found the Helping Hands ministry, he taught Sunday School, and was on many committees at the church. He was a big supporter of Junction City sports along with being a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Delta Waterfowl and the NRA.
Ricky faced his journey with cancer with unbelievable faith, endurance, and perseverance, which has been an inspiration to his family, friends, customers, nurses and all that have come in contact with him. The testimony of his walk with Christ was evident daily.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 10th at Mt Union Baptist Church.
A celebration service will be a 10 am on Monday Sept. 11th at Mt. Union Baptist Church with Bro John Ayres officiating. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Union Baptist Church, 653 Mt. Union Road, El Dorado, AR 71730.
The family wishes to thank everyone that has loved on Ricky through this battle: including Dr. Smart and staff, Dr. Krisht and staff especially Candy and Sharon, the NSICU staff at St. Vincent, all his friends, and everyone that took him treatments. A special thanks to Kenny Thurmon, devoted friend, that took him many times to Pine Bluff.
An online registry willl be available at www. youngsfuneralhome. com.
(The deadline for full obituaries for the next day’s newspaper is 4 p.m. The deadline for death notices is 5 p.m. the day prior to publication. Obituaries submitted after these deadlines will not be published the next day, but will run in the following day’s newspaper. For more information about costs of obituaries and photos, call 870-862-6611).