Hugh Lawson Hembree III

Hugh Lawson Hembree III, 79, of Dallas, Texas died Jan. 21, 2011. H. L. was born Nov. 16, 1931, in Fort Smith, Ark., and was the only child of Raymond and Gladys Hembree. He was raised on the family farm near Paris, Ark., and in Fort Smith, where he graduated from Fort Smith High School. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with degrees in Business Administration and Law. While attending the University he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he formed many lifelong friendships. During these years he met and married Sara Janelle Young, to whom he was married for 52 years. In 1958, H. L. became associated with Arkansas-Best Freight System (ABF) as Assistant General Claims Manager. As ABF grew, so did H.L.'s career as he learned the transportation business and then led in the formation of Data-Tronics Corporation. To accommodate the grow of ABF into other non-regulated businesses, Arkansas Best Corporation was formed in 1966 with him being elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1973, titles he held until his retirement in 1988. During this time Arkansas Best Corporation grew to a diversified holding company with many operating subsidiaries including Riverside Furniture, ABC Treadco, Trans-States Lines and USA Truck. It also sponsored the formation of Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union to provide benefits to the various companies' employees and their families. H. L. was proud of the team of people who worked to make this growth possible and these companies successful. H. L. was also an owner and director of Merchants National Bank of Fort Smith for nearly 30 years. For many years he was also involved as a member of the Board of Directors of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company. H. L. enjoyed a lifetime of public service and was joined in these efforts by his wife, Janelle. He was especially fond of service to the Boy Scouts of America (at the local, regional and national levels), St. Edward Mercy Medical Center (serving 30 years and leading the drive to move the hospital to its current campus), and the University of Arkansas (member of the Board of Trustees, Razorback Foundation Board, Alumni Association Board and National Development Council). In addition, H. L. touched countless lives through service with many other local and national organizations and was recognized with many awards and accolades that had deep meaning to him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janelle Young Hembree, and his parents, Raymond Hembree and Gladys Newman Hembree. He is survived by two sons, H. Lawson Hembree IV and his wife Debbie of Fort Smith, and Scott Hembree and wife Karen of Fort Smith; four grandchildren, Lawson Hembree V, Christopher Hembree, Sara Hembree, and Katelyn Hembree. Memorial service will be Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church with interment in the St. John's Columbarium. Cremation and Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith. A reception will follow the memorial service at St. John's Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Westark Area Council, 1401 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 72903, University of Arkansas Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1070, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701-1070, Hembree Cancer Center, P. O. Box 17000, Fort Smith, Ark. 72917-7000, or St. John's Episcopal Church, 215 N. 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.