J. Ben Posey

J. Ben Posey, Jr., age 97 of Crossett, passed away Saturday, October 20, 2012. He was born June 2, 1915 in Monticello, Arkansas to John B. Posey Sr. and Vera McCullough Posey. Upon graduation from Monticello High School, he attended Arkansas A&M for two years and then completed his education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and led a dance band. Upon graduation he accepted a position at the Crossett Company as a personnel officer and organized a company news magazine, FOREST ECHOS, which was recognized as an outstanding publication in industrial communications throughout the Southeast. In 1951 he was transferred to the Rose Inn as Acting Manager and then in 1953 he was promoted to the Bank of Crossett. In 1960 when the bank became the First National Bank of Crossett, Posey was appointed Executive Vice President. At the time of his retirement in 1980 he held the position of Executive Vice President of the bank and Vice-Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mr. Posey continued to serve as an active member of the Board of Directors of the FNBC from 1980 to 1990, serving one term as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. During his tenure he guided the bank through two bank facility expansions, including the present facility on Main Street as well as two new commercial branches of the bank in North Crossett and Fountain Hill. In addition, Ben tirelessly served the City of Crossett and Ashley County in numerous positions, including being a member of the Crossett City Council, the Board of Crossett School District #52 and the Ashley County Quorum Court. He also served the Crossett Lions Club, the Crossett Rotary Club and the Crossett Chamber of Commerce as President. He represented Crossett with distinction serving as the President of the Arkansas Jaycees. Following retirement Mr. Posey continued to be actively involved in community affairs, serving on the SCORE Committee and the Transportation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Ashley County Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons as well as a member of the Arkansas State Legislative Committee of AARP. He was also instrumental in raising funds for the Ashley County Hospital Foundation. Throughout his life in Crossett, Ben was an active member of the First Methodist Church. Ben was an avid recorder of the history of southern Arkansas and its citizens. Through the years he published five collections of his memories, as well those of numerous friends and relatives, of growing up in Arkansas. Those bound copies can be found at the Public Library in Crossett. Mr. Posey was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Virginia Guthrie; his daughter, Linda Fox Posey; a grandson, John Posey IV; a great-grandson, Andrew Ryan Fox; and his second wife, Olivia Bingham. He is survived by his son, John B. Posey, III and his wife, Victoria, of New Orleans: his son-in-law, James Fox and his wife J'Laine of Hot Springs Village; five grandchildren, Nicholas Fox, Jon Fox, Robert Fox, Ben Fox and Michelle Posey Gonzales; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at The First United Methodist Church of Crossett with interment at the Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, Arkansas at 1 pm. under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. Russell R. Moore officiating. Officials of The First National Bank of Crossett will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to thank The Pillars Assisted Living Community, especially Donna Dudney; and Ouida Sawyer for the outstanding care provided for Ben during his later years. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to The First United Methodist Church, 500 Main Street, Crossett, Arkansas 71635.