William Frederick “Fred ” Denton, 74, of McGehee, died Feb. 17, 2015.
He was born Oct. 24, 1940, in Hot Springs, to the late Bill and Bess Denton. In addition to his parents, his sister Ellee Coulter Blankenship preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Harriet “Gidget” Denton; one son, Scott Denton; one daughter, Christy Binns (David); one grandson, Denton Botsford; a step-grandson, Jonathan Binns; one step-granddaughter, Kelsie Phillips; and a step-great-grandson, Kemp Schwartz.
Funeral will be held at the First United Methodist Church of McGehee at 11 a.m. today. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Joe Head and the Rev. Buddy Ratliff. Interment will be at McGehee Cemetery under the direction of Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Home of McGehee.
Pallbearers will be Jim Daniels, Larry Goodson, Ed Henry, Ronnie Kozubski, George Miles, Jr., Charlie Petty, Bob Roten and Eddie Strawn.
Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Anthony, Gibbs Ferguson, Johnny Johnson, Bob Lucky, Robert Moore, Jr., Charles Pambianchi, Conrad McKown, Fran Childress and Sue Pambianchi.
Fred always strived to support his family in every way possible, attending almost every event his children participated in during their school years. He was especially proud of both his children’s accomplishments. He loved the outdoors. He very much enjoyed hunting with his son, grandson, son-in-law and friends.
He graduated from Sikeston High School in Sikeston, Mo. He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration and economics from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. He graduated from the School of Banking, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.
In 1974, he was appointed charter president and chief executive officer of The First National Bank of McGehee. He also served on the board of directors of the bank until his retirement from active management in 2008, when he was elected chairman of the board and served in that capacity until his death.
Fred was past president and board member of the former McGehee Optimist Club. He also served as president of the McGehee Rotary Club and president of the McGehee Chamber of Commerce. He was a board member of the McGehee Industrial Foundation. He served on the board of directors of the Chicot-Desha Metropolitan Port Authority from its inception and served as its chairman of the board for approximately 10 years. He was a board member of the University of Arkansas at Monticello Foundation’s board of directors. He also served on the University of Arkansas at Monticello Board of Visitors, where he was recently asked to be chairman of the board. He organized what is now known as the Annual UAM Football Fundraiser. Fred loved his community and always strived to make it a better place.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of McGehee, where he served as chairman of the board of directors and various other committees.
Fred was very active in Scouting activities in southeast Arkansas. He served for approximately 15 years as Scoutmaster for Troop 42 in McGehee. He served as Scoutmaster for the Southeast Arkansas Contingent to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1981, at Fort A.P Hill, Va. He served as a member of the DeSoto Area Council, Boy Scouts of America board of directors for many years. Fred, an Eagle Scout, was awarded the adult Scout District Award of Merit and the Council’s Silver Beaver Award for service to the Scouting movement. In addition, the DeSoto Area Council’s Class of Eagles of 1988, was dedicated to honor his service to Scouting. He was very proud that his son, Scott, also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1986.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the DeSoto Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 118 W. Peach St., El Dorado, AR 71730; The First United Methodist Church of McGehee, P.O. Box 467, McGehee, AR 71654 or The American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72207. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.