Jack Magee Allison

Jack Magee Allison, 85 of Walnut Ridge, passed away June 8, 2019 at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Born January 12, 1934 in Walnut Ridge to the late Calvin and Polly Magee Allison. At the age of 9, Jack was baptized in the First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge and has been a faithful life-long member. Jack was a Veteran of the U. S. Airforce during the Korean War; upon returning he served in the Arkansas National Guard and was enlisted in the U.S. Army in September of 1957 to help with the integration of the first black students into Little Rock Central High School. Most know Jack as the self-employed Owner and Operator/Pitmaster of the iconic Polar Freeze in Walnut Ridge since 1958. He was united in marriage to Velma Dobbs on March 13, 1960. Jack was businessman and stayed busy, he was also involved with the G.A.W. Partnership; Lawrence County Seed; N.E.A. Aviation Co, Lawrence Memorial Park; Lawrence Memorial Hospital Foundation; Walnut Ridge Airport Commission; Walnut Ridge City Council and a Lawrence County Advisor. He was awarded the honor of Man of the Year for Lawrence County in 2017. Jack loved life, family, friends, animals, telling stories, joking, traveling and going on adventures and having a good time. He never met a stranger and always had time to talk and make you smile. He was an adrenaline junkie, he loved flying planes and crop-dusted for one summer in the early 80’s, drag racing and anything else that goes fast. He also enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado; skydiving and white-water river rafting; Jack rafted the Colorado River three times through the Grand Canyon National Park and rode a mule down it once. He also at the age of 83, he rode a bicycle down the 7000 foot descent of Pikes Peak in Colorado with his children and grandchildren. Jack’s moto was “Work Hard - Play Hard” He is preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Calvin Allison in 2014. Survivors include his wife, Velma of the home; one daughter, Kellie (Jeff) Yates of Walnut Ridge; one son, Shad Allison (fiancée, Tonya Nicole Taylor) of Walnut Ridge; two grandsons, Hunter (Baley) Yates and Kobe Allison; two granddaughters, Holley (Stetson) Wells and Emily Allison; one great granddaughter, Ona Faye Yates; and many other family and countless friends. Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10 A.M. in the First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge with Bro. Jake Guenrich officiating. Pallbearers will be Andrew, Matthew and Stephen Watson, Joe, Delbert and Keith Warner. Interment will follow in the Lawrence Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 P.M. till 8 P.M. in the First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge. In Lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to, Wings of Honor Museum, 70 S. Beacon Rd. Walnut Ridge, AR 72476; Walnut Ridge Animal Shelter or the Walnut Ridge Children’s Shelter.

Jack Magee Allison

January 12, 1934 - June 8, 2019