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Submitted: 12/5/21 • Approved: 12/5/21 • Last Updated: 12/8/21 • R1404572-G0-S3
Mar 8, 1936 - Aug 3, 2020
*Obituary
James Lavon Vanoven Jr, known to many as Jim, 64, of Hickory Flat entered into the presence of the Lord Monday, August 3, 2020. He was born March 8, 1956 in Bradford, Arkansas to the late James Lavon Sr. and Katherine Annie Boatman Vanoven.
Whether you knew him as Jim, Jimmy, James, James L. Brother Jim, Mr. Vanoven, Mr. V, “The guy who ran the score clock”, “the guy who played and sang”, “the ag teacher’ from Midland, Kirby, or DeValls Bluff, or as the former marine (“there are no EX Marines”), you knew the same man! The name and capacity didn’t change who he was and didn’t change his smile. He had a desire for everyone around him to be happy and to know they had at least one friend. He was a big man with a big heart and could find potential in anything and anybody. He was a problem solver, a southern engineer, a storyteller, a cheerer upper, a friend, a family man, God fearing, God Loving, and when he hugged you it seemed like your heart touched his. Those hugs usually came before or after he talked with you the way that he did. It was like you were the only person in the world at that moment and he had a way of making your troubles seem ok. Jim always had a joke or funny story to tell and worked hard at making everyone feel important and needed. Teaching was not a job to him, it meant so much to him because of the impact it could have on students. He loved his family. He loved his country. He loved his church. He loved his farm. He loved his neighbors. He loved all of you. Jim Vanoven was a proud United States Marine, a high school Agriculture teacher, a Husband, a father, and so many other things but when he was 17 years old he made a decision to trust Jesus Christ as his Savior so now Jim Vanoven is resting in the presence of the Lord and his parents, James Lavon Sr. and Katherine Annie Boatman Vanoven; his beloved mother in law, Shirley Sue Fella Lucas; best friend and father in law, Clirfton Shelby Lucas; a brother, Clay Vanoven; and two grandchildren, Baby Griffin and Baby Whitener.
Among those that are left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 44 years, Shelby Jean Lucas Vanoven; children, Lisa Annette Griffin and husband Blake, James Lavon Vanoven III and wife Stacy, and Kassy Leona Whitener and husband Ricky; grandchildren, Andee Whitener, Charlee Whitener, Wiley Whitener, Whitney Vanoven, Paige Thorn, Gabrielle Osborn, Jackson Osborn, and Emma Osborn; one brother, Marvin Vanoven; and a host of friends, relatives, former students and other loved ones that are far too numerous to list.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maple Springs Missionary Baptist Church building Fund; or the Heber Springs American Legion Honor Team; or to the efforts to locate Micheal John Morris.
Visitation is Thursday from 6-9 pm at Maple Springs Missionary Baptist Church located at 4225 Newport rd. Rosie, AR 72571. Funeral service is Friday at 10 am at the church. Interment is in Olive Branch Cemetery in Hickory Flat. Arrangements entrusted to Bradford Memorial Funeral Home of Bradford, Arkansas.
Contributed on 12/5/21 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1404572