Dr. Owen J. Hudgins

Dr. Owen J. Hudgins, DDS, 98, of Jonesboro, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center.

Born in the Halliday community on November 18, 1913, to Dr. James J. and Ethel Clopton Hudgins, Dr. Hudgins was a 1930 graduate of Paragould High School and earned a Bachelor degree from the then Arkansas State College in 1934. He was a 1938 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Dr. Hudgins made the highest recorded score to date on the state dental board examination upon his graduation.

Dr. Hudgins taught dentistry at the University before establishing his office in Jonesboro where he practiced for 50 years, retiring in 1988. His career was one of service to his fellow man and to the Lord.

Dr. Hudgins was a long time member of the Main and Oak Church of Christ in Jonesboro and was a member of Southwest Church of Christ since its inception. He was a member of the Jonesboro Kiwanis Club since 1940, and for several years maintained perfect attendance. He was also a member of the Craighead County Historical Society.

At the time of his death, Dr. Hudgins was one of the oldest graduates of Arkansas State University and was a long time member of the ASU Alumni Association. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed gardening. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys McPike Hudgins and by a sister, Wanda Lee Johnson.

Survivors include: two daughters: Rebecca Jean Urton of Rock Island, Illinois and Carolyn Booker Hudgins of Plano, Texas;

One son and his wife, Dr. Stan and Kathy McPike of Jonesboro;

5 grandchildren and their spouses: Ellen Ruth Urton, Dr. James Ralph Urton, Derek and Whitney McPike, Adam and Dawn McPike and John and Aimee McPike;

6 great grandchildren: Aiden, Ella, Presley, Conner Blair, Avery and Harper McPike; and
1 nephew: James C. Johnson of Batesville.

Funeral services will be Wednesday morning at 10:30 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Jimmy Adcox officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers include: Derek McPike, Adam McPike, John McPike, Dr. James Urton, Steve Clark, James Hunter and Rick Carter. Honorary pallbearers include E. Winston Burton, Dr. O.H. Clopton, Arlie and Betty Williams, Ken and LaWanda Wallace, Martha Moss and Pam Tiner.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home Chapel.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Childrens Home, 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.