Eugene Johnson Hosey Sr.

Eugene Johnson "E.J."Hosey Sr., 91, of Marvell, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at his home. Mr. Hosey was born August 21, 1924 in Joiner, Arkansas to the late Dr. N.R. Hosey, Sr. and Nina Gray Holt Hosey. He lived in Joiner until he finished high school and then moved to Marvell and attended Arkansas Tech before entering the military. E.J. served in the U.S. Army as a scout under General Patton in Europe during World War II. Upon return from the war, he attended and graduated from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduation, he returned to Marvell and married Merrie Jack McKinney on December 20, 1952. They were married for 63 years. E.J. began the business, Farmers Supply Company, with Bill McDonald in 1954 and served as Mayor of Marvell from 1957 until 1966. He also served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Marvell. The town of Marvell awarded E.J. with a Citizen of the Year award in 2008. Mr. Hosey is survived by his spouse, Merrie Jack McKinney Hosey of Marvell; son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Karen Hosey of Marvell; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Chris Kale of Marvell; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Curtis) Schaffhauser, Bonnie (Scotty) Fraiser, Laura (Michael) Taylor, and John (Allison) Kale; eight great-grandchildren, Reese and Jackson Schaffhauser, Collin and Catherine Fraiser, Merrie Leigh and Wells Taylor, and Katie and John Kale; and his sister and brother-in-law, Nina and Joe Weisberger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. N.R. Hosey, Sr. and Nina Gray Holt Hosey; grandson, E.J. Hosey, III; and his brothers and sisters, including N.R. Hosey, Jr., Bill Hosey, Ora Sowell, Rosemond Banks, Irene Bowden, Helen Reddick, Beth Bowden and Geneva Rauenhorst. Funeral services for E.J. Hosey, Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Marvell. Brother Justin Curtis will officiate. Burial will follow at Eventide Cemetery in Marvell. Pallbearers are James Kemmer, Joe Jackson, Curtis Storey, Tommy McCormick, Clarence Guest and Pointer Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Marvell, The E.J. Hosey, III Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Arkansas Community Foundation or the Marvell Cemetery Association. Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena (870) 572-2571. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.