Ronald "Ron" Joseph Looney

Ron Looney, 84, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, July 28, 2024.  He had lived in Jonesboro since 1972, moving here from Leachville, Arkansas. He was born on July 5, 1940, to Ronald and Ruth Looney in Kennett, Missouri.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro.  Ron retired from Arkansas State University in 2011, as the Director of Publication.  He loved horses!  He raised, trained and rode horses.  He was even a judge for many horse shows. He was instrumental in the design of the ASU Equine Center.  He enjoyed his music, he would say, he did something that Elvis couldn’t do, and that was to play the Grand Ole Opry.  Ron sang in a trio known as the Folk Swingers Trio.  Travelling and playing music was always a passion.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Darby Looney.

Survivors include a son, C.J. Looney and wife Jenny of Paragould; daughter, Sara Elizabeth Looney, of Austin, Texas; sister, Patricia Jo Driscoll of Germantown, Tennessee; grandchildren, Heather, Joshua, Jon-Michael, Gabriel and Alexander; eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Friday, August 2, 2024, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bro. Albert Camp officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with C.J. Looney, Joshua Townsley, Jon-Michael Looney, Easton Vandergriff, Tim Driscoll and Dillon Corson serving as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Mark Reeves and Mark Morris.  Visitation will be from 9:00 until service time.

For lasting memorials, please consider the NEA Humane Society, 6111 Highland Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.