Arthur Douglas Bohannon

Arthur Douglas Bohannon , 82, of Jacksonville passed away August 10, 2013 under the care of the Hospice ward of St. Vincent's Infirmary, Little Rock, Ark., surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Medford, Massachusetts, February 20, 1931, the son of Raymond D. and Mildred (Boyd) Bohannon. He graduated from Keene High School in 1950. On July 10, 1953 he married Gloria Faye Shapland of Tillamook, Oregon. They celebrated their sixtieth anniversary in 2013. Mr. Bohannon entered the US Air Force during the Korean War and served his country for 22 years, including two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. After honorable discharge from the US Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant, he attended the University of Central Arkansas and graduated in 1980. He taught Vocational Education at Northwood Junior HS for fourteen years, receiving numerous awards as an outstanding teacher. He was a faithful member of the Park Hill Christian Church in North Little Rock for 20 years singing in the choir, serving as a diaconate, and serving on the outreach committee. Mr. Bohannon loved singing, played the piano by ear and was a regular entertainer for the USO during 1950's in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1955 he performed as a vocalist on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour television show. He was a member of the Diamond State Barbershop Chorus of Little Rock. He served in numerous capacities including three years as president and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In addition to singing, Mr. Bohannon was involved in the Boy Scouts of America for over twenty years, serving as scoutmaster of Troop 170 of LRAFB for numerous years. In 1977, he received the highest award in Scouting, the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it. He loved his family and was extremely proud of his wife of 60 years, and his three children and their accomplishments. In his retirement years he continued to sing, enjoyed golfing, woodworking, and traveling. Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Gloria F. Bohannon of Jacksonville; his children Daniel D. Bohannon and Kaethe Bohannon of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Aileen Faye Durkee, and Kevin S. Durkee of Fair Haven, Vermont, Kenneth Bohannon of Chickasha, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Danielle and Dana Bohannon of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Joshua Durkee and his wife Mercedez Durkee, of Atlanta Georgia, and Alexandra Bohannon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren, Isabella Durkee, and Xavier Durkee of Atlanta, Georgia; brothers, David and Bruce Bohannon; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mildred Bohannon and brother, Robert Bohannon. Services for Mr. Bohannon will be Thursday, August 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Park Hill Christian Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas Visitation hours will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 14 at Arkansas Funeral Care, Jacksonville, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Bohannon's memory to the Park Hill Christian Church.