O.H. Clopton Jr.

Dr. O.H. Clopton Jr., 81, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, after a brief illness. Dr. Clopton was born February 19, 1933, in Marmaduke, Arkansas, to Olinda Miller Clopton and Dr. Owen Hobson Clopton Sr. He was a graduate of Rector Public Schools, Murray State University, and the University of Arkansas Medical School. He completed an internship and medical residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. He served a 2 year tour of duty in the United States Air Force, Medical Corp. Dr. Clopton was married to Laura Jean Shemwell on June 27, 1954. He and his wife Laura Jean moved to Jonesboro in 1965, where he started a private practice, Internal Medicine Associates. The clinic later became Clopton Clinic, in honor of Dr. Clopton. After he retired from Clopton Clinic, he practiced medicine part time at St. Bernards Senior Health Clinic. During his medical career he was considered the "Dean" and "Elder Statesman" of the medical community in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. In addition to his other honors, Dr. Clopton was recognized by the St. Bernards Development Foundation with an Evening of Music for his outstanding contribution to St. Bernards and the community. He continued to work with the Development Foundation in support of the proposed Memory Care Center at St. Bernards Villa. During the course of his long career, he served as St. Bernards' Chief of Staff, Medical Director of SHARP PHO, on the Board of Arkansas State Board of Medical Examiners, Board of QualChoice, Nettleton School Board, Arkansas Heart Association, Arkansas Lung Association and the Governing Board of St. Bernards Medical Center. Dr. Clopton was a long time member of Southwest Church of Christ, where he served as an Elder and Bible teacher for many years. In addition to serving his church, profession and community, Dr. Clopton held memberships in: The Arkansas Medical Society; American Medical Society; Arkansas Thoracic Society; American Society of Internal Medicine; Memphis Academy of Internal Medicine and was a teaching assistant for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, ASU sports, spending time with his grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Tinker Bell. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Laura Jean Shemwell Clopton, two daughters: Dr. Claudia L. Clopton of Denver, Colo.; Dr. Laura D. Bischof, (John) St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren: Aiden Carley-Clopton, Inge Bischof and Thea Bischof; niece: Dr. Susan Wooten, nephews: David Landis and Jim Settlemoir. In addition to a multitude of friends and colleagues. Dr. Clopton was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Owen H. Clopton, Sr. three sisters: Billye Clopton Landis, Patty Clopton Settlemoir and Betty Clopton Brumley. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James Street, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401, with Dr. Jimmy Adcox and Richard Akins officiating. Burial will be private with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Honorary Pallbearers include Physicians and Staff of Clopton Clinic, Medical Staff of St. Bernards Medical Center, SHARP PHO staff and Elders of Southwest Church of Christ. Visitation will be held Friday evening, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Southwest Church of Christ. Donations may be made in Dr. Clopton's name to: Children's Home, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, Ark. 72450-3319, or St. Bernards Development Foundation, Memory Care, 400 East St., Jonesboro, Ark. 72401-9929. Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.