Jimmy Doyle Hunt

Jimmy D. “Jimmy Doyle” Hunt, 72, of Jonesboro, died Friday, March 21, 2008, at his home after an extended illness.

Jimmy Doyle was born October 1, 1935, in Black Oak, Arkansas to Jeanette and Houston Hunt. His family moved to Jonesboro where he has lived for the majority of his life and always called home. He attended Jonesboro High School where he was a member of the 1954 undefeated State Championship basketball team. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Mississippi in 1954 before transferring to Arkansas State University. He graduated in 1959 from Arkansas State where he received a degree in Business Administration and so began his career in business. During his college years he sold cookware for WearEver and received the number one salesman award in the nation.

Upon graduation, he was employed by Midsouth Plumbing, which was owned by his former in-laws, Pierre and Juanita Latourette. He and his family later moved to the west coast where he sold plumbing supplies. This area would spark his interest in the lamp industry and upon his return to Arkansas he joined efforts with his friend Rex Turner in the lamp business. He would eventually go it alone, forming what today is known world-wide as Jimco Lamp Company.

He was elected to the State House of Representatives for District 11, Position 4 for Craighead and Greene Counties where he served 2 terms from 1966-1970. Jimmy Doyle served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank during the early 1980’s. He was a member of Magnolia Road Baptist Church and was a past member of the Jonesboro Exchange Club.

Jimmy Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Houston and Jeanette Hunt, 2 sisters: Barbara Sue Jones and Jeanette Brown, and 1 brother, Alan Hunt.

Survivors include his wife, Glenna Hunt;
Two children of former wife Cora Latourette Hunt: Sonny and wife Darlene Hunt of Old Hickory, Tennessee, and Tina and husband Warren Coots of Jonesboro;
3 granddaughters: Jaime Plappert of Chesterfield, Missouri, Toni Coots of St. Louis, and Tori Christiansen and husband David of Jonesboro;
2 great granddaughters: Kendyl Plappert and Vivian Sharlow and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, March 24, 2008, at 2:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Emil Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.

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

Active pallbearers include Don Harmon, Ron Lindley, John Pickens, Brad Lieblong, Jeff Cranford, Kenny Sims, Mark Biggers and Leon Goff.

Honorary pallbearers include the staff and employees of Jimco Lamp Company and classmates and teammates of the Jonesboro High School Class of 1954.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society, P.O. Box 1042, Jonesboro, AR 72403; Magnolia Road Baptist Church, 911 Magnolia Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401; TLC, 2808 Fox Meadow Lane, Jonesboro, AR 72404; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.