Ben G. Hunt

of Shirley, AR

October 6, 1931 - March 20, 2026

On March 20, 2026, Ben G. Hunt went to his heavenly home. Ben G. was born at Old Choctaw, Arkansas on October 6, 1931, to Lester and Bessie Dempsey Hunt. He was the only boy of five children and the first of only two grandsons born to Thomas Hunt, who gave him the family name of Ben.

Ben G. was preceded in death by his wife of almost 69 years, Veatrice Burgess Hunt on February 15, 2022, his parents, Lester and Bessie Dempsey Hunt, sisters; Evelene Clutts (Ray), Lucille Bradford (Arville), Joy Faye Johnson (Grover), Martha Goldman (Ashbury), father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jasper Sidney and Ruth Barnum Burgess, sister-in-law, Bobby Ann Barnum (Clarence) and brother-in-law, Tommy Burgess (Doris).

Ben G. spent his life working from a very young child in sawmills and farming. He grew up picking cotton as a small child, as well as planting and farming for himself and others. As he grew older, he worked in the logging business, skidding logs with horses and mules, as well as driving log trucks. The Greer's Ferry Lake now covers where he grew up.

Ben G. was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean conflict. After completing basic training, he married the love of his life and best friend, Veatrice Burgess Hunt on October 31, 1953 and they hey moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where he was stationed as an MP. After his tour with the army, they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he went to work for Arkla Gas Company. Ben G. and Veatrice worked and saved every penny to purchase the farm still owned today. After many years of marriage, their dream of being parents came true and they moved, along with their new baby daughter, to their farm.

Ben G. continued working with Arkla until 1968, when they opened Hunt's One Stop. While Veatrice ran the business, Ben G. purchased a dump truck and hauled for the Fairfield Bay Community until their business took off. Ben G. saved so many people through this little business by holding tabs for groceries, gas and actual cash, even when he knew it would never be repaid. He used to joke, if you wanted to get rid of family or friends, just loan them money or give them credit.

In March of 1984, they retired from the business and enjoyed their cow/calf farm full time. You rarely ever saw Ben G. without Vetrice. They passed the farm down, full time, to their children in 2010, but Ben G. was the advisor and supervisor. In October of 1987, Ben G. gained a son when Candice married Paul Smith. He became not only his son, but his best friend, spending many hours working in the hay field together and in later years traveling, assisting with jobs and enjoying seeing the countryside.

In 1994, Ben G. was overwhelmed with peace and joy when he was baptized alongside his good friend and neighbor, Kenneth Bradley, at the Greer's Ferry Lake. Ben G. and Veatrice were overjoyed when their titles changed to Grandaddy and Birdie with the birth of their only grandchild, Ben Ryan Smith. The family was complete.

Ben G. instilled his love for horses, cattle and animals in his daughter and spent many hours riding horses around the countryside. Sometimes, he had to put his foot down when too many animals ended up in the collection. But, Ben G.'s pride and joy was his grandson and he traveled many miles watching him play sports, especially baseball, another passion passed down from Ben G.. Wherever Ben was or whatever he was doing, you could bet that Ben G. and Veatrice would be right there.

Ben G. Hunt is a true hero to his children. He instilled in them what a true man is from how he valued his family to his work ethic. He went through so many hardships in his life, both physically and emotionally, but he was always so strong and steady, showing us true strength and grit. There is a huge hole in our hearts that will never be filled, but we are thankful that he was blessed to be able to drive his tractor and mow his yard until he was called home.

Ben G. is survived by his daughter, Candace Smith and husband, Paul Smith of Shirley, Arkansas, grandson, Ben Ryan Smith, of Nashua, New Hampshire, brother-in-law, Billy R. Burgess and wife, Becky of Shirley, very special nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, whom he loved and valued, a host of other relatives and many friends.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Eglantine Cemetery. Afterwards, he will be laid to rest beside his beloved Veatrice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eglantine Cemetery Fund.

To express online condolences please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton.

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