John Rowland Pelton Jr.

John Rowland Pelton Jr., 90, of Benton, died surrounded by family on Friday, July 19, 2019. John was born to John and Muriel Couch Pelton on February 18, 1929 in the Salem Community of Saline County. After serving a year in the marines, he earned an Associate Degree in Agriculture from Arkansas Tech. He married the love of his life Frances Joy Scott and they were married for 67 years. John helped build and then worked at ALCOA for over 30 years. He was an outdoorsman and in his retirement he was an avid conservationist and wildflower photographer. He was instrumental in documenting a new species, thereafter named "Pelton's Rose Gentian." Family and church were paramount in his life. He was an active member of Salem United Methodist church, where he served in many capacities over the years. He particularly loved Salem Camp Meeting. Survivors include his wife, Frances Joy Pelton, brother Joe (Carmen) Pelton; children: Belinda (Phil) Price, Mark (Barbara) Pelton, and Mary Anne (Karl) Seibert; grandchildren: Matt Price, Hannah Hunt, Emily Rosenthal, Melissa Abuzeid, Elizabeth Price, Abigail Kreie, Luke Pelton and Joy Pelton; eleven great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Salem United Methodist Church at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, with memorial service following at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1647 Salem Road, Benton, Ark. 72019. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.