James Thomas Bonner

James Thomas Bonner, 86 years old, went into the arms of Jesus on August 23, 2016 at Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville, Arkansas. J.T. was born February 11, 1930 in Greenwood, Arkansas. When J.T. was young he helped his mother raise and care for his younger brothers and sisters. He was always very responsible and his mother could always count on him even at a young age. When he joined the army at 16 (he lied and said he was 18), he would often send money home to his mother. While serving in Bamberg, Germany, J.T. courted and wooed a little German lady, Gustel, and won her heart. They were happily married for 68 years. J.T. served 20 years in the United States Army during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and various places in the United States. J.T. retired and moved to Charleston, Ark. in 1966 where he and Gustel were active members of the First Baptist Church. After many happy years in Charleston, they moved to Jenny Lind, Ark. where J.T. drove and owned his own dump truck business. For over 30 years, J.T. and Gustel were active members of Jenny Lind First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir. In 2009, J.T. and Gustel moved to Prairie Grove, Ark. to retire from driving his truck and to be closer to their children and grandchildren. J.T. loved the Lord, his family, his church, his friends, his dump truck and in these last years, he loved a good game of checkers - he couldn't be beat!!! He is survived by his five children, Sonny & Jennifer Bonner of Bella Vista, Ark., Wanda Scoggins of Rogers, Ark., Liz & Carl Mathews of Farmington, Ark., Sandy & Barry Garred of Bella Vista, Ark. and Charlie & Debbie Bonner of Ozark, Ark.; 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Barbara Ann Davis and Wanda Seago both of Texas; two stepbrothers, Tilmon Ray and Barry Bonner; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gustel; his mother, Pearl Bonner Ferguson; his father, Jim Tom Bonner; four brothers, Ronald Gene, Daniel David, Charles Wayne & Robert Eugene Bonner; and one grandson, Charlie Bonner. Funeral was held 10 a.m. Saturday, August 27 at Jenny Lind First Baptist Church with interment at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood. Viewing was held Friday from 1-8 p.m. at the funeral home where the family will meet with friends from 6-8 p.m. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.