Owen Thomas Rushing

Owen Thomas Rushing, age 84, of Calmer, passed away peacefully on

Friday, December 26, 2025, at JRMC, having gone to be with his Lord and

Savior.

Owen was born in Cleveland County on July 9, 1941, to William Thomas

“Tom” Rushing and Lillian Elizabeth Owen Rushing.

He was a faithful member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church of

Calmer and a 1960 graduate of Woodlawn High School. Following high

school, Owen worked for Brown’s Manufacturing Company in Pine Bluff

and proudly served in the United States Army National Guard. In 2002, he

retired from the Cotton Belt Railroad after 40 years of dedicated service.

Owen’s love for sports began during his years at Woodlawn High School,

where he played basketball. During and after high school, he played

baseball for many years. He later shared that passion by helping coach

peewee football and baseball. For many years, he could be found in the

press box at Woodlawn football games, faithfully operating the scoreboard.

A true servant to his community, Owen was instrumental in the creation of

the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department and served as its chief for more

than 40 years. The department served the Woodlawn, Calmer, Randall,

Rowell, and Pansy communities. He was also an active member of the

Morrison Hunting Club in Calmer.

From 2007 until his passing, Owen served as a Justice of the Peace on the

Cleveland County Quorum Court, continuing his lifelong commitment to

public service.

Owen was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Kay Craft Rushing; his

parents, William Thomas “Tom” and Lillian Elizabeth Owen Rushing; his

siblings, Ira Van Owen (Junior), James Edward Rushing, Thelma Lee Morris,

and Barbara Ann Patrick; and his granddaughter, Casi Nicole Rushing.

He is survived by his wife, Carole Doss John Rushing, whom he married on

August 8, 2008. He is also survived by his children: Robert Owen Rushing

(Stephanie), Christopher Michael Rushing (Laura), Jennifer Allyson Honda,

Dale Douglas Johns, and Carole Denise Slater (Kelly); his siblings, Linda

Rushing Newman (Paul) and David Wayne Rushing (Annette); nine

grandchildren—Tyler, Olivia, Katy, Tyler, Emma, Lila Kate, Mia Claire, Cody

(Malory), and Austin; seven great-grandchildren—Grant, Penelope, Macee,

Tenleigh, Enzo, Jayda, and Madison; and two great-great-grandchildren,

Tinker and Desmond.

Pallbearers will be members of the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department.

Honorary pallbears will the members of the Morrison Hunting Club.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 29, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

at Buie Funeral Home in Rison, Arkansas.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Oak Grove

Missionary Baptist Church (8120 Hwy 63, Rison, AR 71665), officiated by

Bro. Matt Donnell and Bro. Doney Blackerby. Burial will follow at Cypress

Memorial Gardens on Highway 63.