J.D. Fortner

J.D. Fortner, 78, of Jacksonville was born August 15, 1934 in Vilonia, Arkansas and went to be with his Lord and Savior February 21, 2013. As a young man, JD gave his life to the Lord and proceeded to be an active member in the church throughout his life, at one time serving as the Music Minister for Carlisle Baptist Church near Lubbock, Texas. He enjoyed using his talent to help with revivals at churches in the surrounding area. Serving the Lord was an important part of his life. J.D. served in the Air Force, Navy and Naval Reserve until he retired in 1978. After owning and operating a Conoco Service Station in Lubbock, working for the International Mineral and Chemical Company of Carlsbad, New Mexico and the Lubbock Highway Department, he started his career in law enforcement with the Lubbock Sheriff's Department then moved to the Lubbock Police Department, then to Texas Tech University Police Department where he retired in 1988. He was Acting Chief of Police until shortly before his retirement. He always looked forward to the Retired Lubbock Police Officers yearly reunion. After retirement he moved back to Arkansas and started another career as a truck driver, first owning his own dump truck, then becoming an over the road driver for MAGS Trucking in Cabot, Arkansas. He enjoyed driving and always wanted to see what was just over the next hill. He was the son of the late John B. and Vela (Rambo) Fortner and is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Monelle Fortner. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Linda; three sons, Ronny (Lanette) of Lubbock, Texas, Terry (Robbie) of Jacksonville and Brian (Mary) of Tucumcari, New Mexico; step-son, Kent (Rita) Wolforth, Texas and step-daughter, Kimberly (Kenny) Poe, of Conway. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, Michael, Bobby, Jon, Rick and Mark Fortner, Sandy Martin, Kelly Mackel, Danna Hoppe, Abbey Rice, Stacey Vick, Colton and Rebecca Goodgion, Skyler Mahoney and Devin and Hanna Kirksey and eight great-grandchildren, Dylan and Kayla Vick, Evan, Connor, Henry, Owen and Ava Fortner and Braden Hoppe; two sisters, Mareta Johnson, of Santee, California and Estelle and husband, Charles Waymack of Jacksonville; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. A special thank you to the caregivers of Arkansas Hospice. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Cabot, Pastors Terry Fortner and Bill Rambo will be officiating. Burial will be in Sumner Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, a Smith Family Funeral home. Online obituary and guest registry at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.