Robert "Bud" Choate

Robert Bruce (Bud) Choate, 91, of Jonesboro, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Jonesboro Health and Rehab Center. He was born in Paragould to Richard Harris and Carolyn Wade Choate.

Bud graduated Paragould High School where he was president of the student body and received the American Farmers degree from Future Farmers of America (FFA). Following graduation, he was drafted into the Army and was a veteran of W.W. II, serving in the South Pacific and the occupation of Japan.

Following discharge from the Army Bud moved to Pocahontas to make his home. He met and married Betty Blankenship and to this union was born two children: a son, Bob, and a daughter, Cathy.

In 1956 Bud moved his family to Jonesboro where he owned and operated a Ben Franklin store. Several years later after the sale of the store, he became a sales representative for Orgill Brothers Hardware Company in Memphis and worked for them until his retirement.

Bud was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board, was a member of the Methodist Men, Coordinator of the church food pantry, and was a member of the Mrs. Harry Hill Sunday school class. He was also a member of the Fourth Quarter Club, Care Team, and the Older Adult Council. Bud was past Scout Leader of Boy Scout Troop 6 of the church. His greatest pride was when 7 of the members became Eagle Scouts in one year with his son Bob being one of them.

Bud was a member of the Jonesboro Exchange Club where he received the Exchangeite of the Year Award, twice receiving the Jim Echols Award, Book of Golden Deeds Award, and was District Representative of Arkla-Tex for five years. He was Coordinator of the Sunshine Special.

Bud was a founding member of the Bologna Gravy Hunting Club. He loved all sports, refereed Junior and Senior high school football and was an avid Arkansas State University fan of football, mens and womens basketball, volleyball and was an ASU track official.

There will be a private family burial Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. in Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Miles and Rev. Patty Soward officiating.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers are Jason Choate, Grant Hofer, Doug Powell and Rich Damron. Honorary pallbearers include Jonesboro Exhange Club members and Mrs. Harry Hill Sunday school class members.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Harris, Wade, Halter and Wert Choate; and two sisters: Rebecca Anderton and Sarah Thompson.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty, son, Robert (Bob) Choate, Jr. (Paulette) of Bartlett, Tennessee, a daughter, Cathy Hofer (Greg) of La Porte, Indiana; six grandchildren: Jason Choate, Aaron Choate, Tamara Johnson, Amand Powell, Lauren Damron and Grant Hofer; and ten great grandchildren and thirteen nieces and nephews.

For lasting memorials, please consider First United Methodist Church Music Fund, Care Team or Pastor's Fund.