Harry Ray Park

Harry Ray Park, 93, of Jonesboro, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at Jonesboro Healthcare. He was born in Hardy, Arkansas on September 7, 1926 to the late John and Maggie Park.

Harry graduated from Hardy High School in 1944. His education was interrupted with military service at the end of World War II. He served as a courier in Germany. Upon returning home, he enrolled at Arkansas State College where he graduated in 1953. He married Marie Miller on March 26, 1948 and they had four daughters, Sheila Shumpert (Bob), Sherry Park Simpson, Sandra Barker (Donald), and Shirley Park, all of Jonesboro. Harry also has two grandchildren, Brad Shumpert (Kim) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Shelena Shumpert of Jonesboro, and two great granddaughters, Kiley and Robyn Shumpert.

He was a member of the Nettleton church of Christ where he served as an elder for 35 years.
Harry taught and coached in the Dixie and Nettleton school districts. He resigned his teaching position and eventually became the local manager of ET&WNC Transportation Company in Jonesboro where he remained for 17 years. He served as an alderman on the Jonesboro City Council for approximately 20 years.

Harry enjoyed woodworking, taking trips with the family in the RV, fishing, community work, and visiting with friends and family. As long as his health allowed it, he attended the yearly Hardy Reunion and Dixie Reunion. Talking about the "old times" with his former classmates and students was something special to him. Harry also enjoyed watching Speaking the Truth in Love, baseball, basketball, football, Andy Griffith, and The Real McCoys.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marie, son-in-law Willie Simpson, brothers John Thomas Park and Jim Park, and sister Betty Turnbow.

Graveside funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Jimmy Young officiating under the direction of Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro. There will be no visitation.

In accordance to Arkansas Health Department COVID19 guidelines, social distancing will be observed at the graveside service.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Children's Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.