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John Benjamin Abbott, a local architect who has designed several buildings in El Dorado, will celebrate his 96th birthday on May 16.

He was born in El Dorado on May 16, 1912, and his father was superintendent of El Dorado Schools at that time. He later moved with his family to other parts of Arkansas. He has one surviving sister, Jane Prosper of Spearfish, S.D.

He returned to El Dorado in the 1930s to begin work in his chosen career. He designed a number of local buildings, including the South Arkansas Arts Center and the football stadium.

He married Alice...