Obituaries

Dean Ahart

Photo of Dean Ahart
It is with great sadness that the family of Dean Ahart announces his passing on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at the age of 73, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on Jan. 7, 1938, in Sweet Home, Ark., to parents S. H. Ahart and Etna Marie Ahart, he was one of nine children. Dean attended public schools and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1956, where he was named all district and honorable mention all state distinguishing himself on the football field while wearing his #33 red jersey. Dean married Lorraine Humphries on June 16, 1962, and together they had two children. Drafted into the Army in 1962, he served his country as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne division and was honorably discharged following service. After retiring from a 29-year career at Hoerner Waldorf Corporation, he moved to Texas to work with his brother, Wayne, in the restaurant business. He served as president of Austin Pizza Garden and took his second retirement in 2005. It is said that when a great and good man dies, the sky is luminous long after he is out of sight and such a man does not truly leave this world because he leaves behind so much of himself. Dean was this type of man and is lovingly remembered for his unselfish nature and ability to put anyone at ease. His pastimes included playing golf, exercising at the gym and taking fishing trips with his brothers. But his greatest pleasure came from being with friends and family – seeing his grandchildren play in the pool, watching football games, attending class reunions, and enjoying get-togethers that nearly always included music, food, and storytelling. He has touched our lives and we are more because of it. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, of 49 years, and his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Jim Cannon, of Needville, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Lisa Ahart, of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Blake and Brooke Ahart, of Austin, Texas; his mother, 96 year old, Etna Marie Ahart, of Sherwood, Ark.; four brothers, Tom Ahart, of North Little Rock, Ark., Wayne Ahart, of Austin, Texas, Bill Ahart, of Cabot, Ark., Bob Ahart, of Holiday Island, Ark., and one sister, Eunice Freeman, of Sherwood, Ark.; and 21 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, S. H. Ahart, and his brothers, Alvin Ahart, Melvin Ahart and Cliff Ahart. Funeral services will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2011, at 11 a.m., with Reverend Rex Johnson and Pastor Jerry Riddle officiating. The family will hold a visitation on Monday, Dec. 14, 2011, from 5 – 7 p.m., at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Jerry Boyd, Wallace Cossey, Thomas Dupree, Bill Gault, Don Runyan, and Kenney Tobey. Honorary pallbearers: Vincent Ariago, Louis Matamoros, Marv Settle, Barry Shamas, and Billy Thomas. The family requests memorials are made to the charity of your choice.

Published December 11, 2011

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