Ronnie Metcalf

Ronnie Metcalf, 86, of Leachville passed from this life Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro after a two-year battle with lung cancer. He was born Aug. 8, 1937, to the late Gene Charles and Nola Weeks Metcalf in Bay City, Ill. The family moved to the Buckeye community when he was 6 years old to pursue farming. Ronnie graduated from Leachville High School in 1955. Thinking he would remain in Buckeye to farm, his father insisted he would attend college. Ronnie entered Arkansas State University in the fall when ROTC was mandatory. He was also a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and graduated as an Army 1st lieutenant with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1959. On July 31, he married Eleanor Bernard of Parkin. Their plans were to continue military service, but the death of his father forced him to take over the family farm. Ronnie continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1975. He retired after 46 years of farming and pursued yet another career with a “hot shot” trucking service, delivering tanks all over the South. This career ended at the age of 82, due to the COVID pandemic. Ronnie served on the Leachville Public Schools Board of Education. During this time, he worked on the consolidation with Monette Schools. He was active in the booster club and prided himself with the best concession stand in the region. The Metcalfs were longtime members of New Providence Baptist Church in Buckeye, but in recent years had become active in the Leachville Global Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant sister, Ann, and a grandson, Reed Churchill.

Ronnie leaves his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Bernard Metcalf of the home; one son, Gene Metcalf (Kim) of Jonesboro; one daughter, Penny Churchill (David) of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Christopher Metcalf (Elaine), Emily Owen (David) and Cameron Churchill; great-grandchildren, Jay Metcalf, Judah Metcalf and soon to be Peyton Owen.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. John Hiegel, Jr. and Ronnie Kennett officiating. Burial will follow in the Leachville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Wednesday from 12:30 until service time. Active pallbearers will be Gordon Miller, Cole Hawkins, Todd Edwards, Grant Galyean, Hugh Wayne Rose and Leon Swihart. Honorary pallbearers will include Paul Wildy, John Edwards, Ronnie Kennett, Marvin Brown, A.J. Bandy, Randy Jackson, Travis Galyean, Bud Rauls, Bill Rauls and Steve May.

The family would like to thank St. Bernards Cancer Center, 3 EAST nursing and medical staff and St Bernards Hospice. We would also like to thank our many friends for their support and friendships all through the years. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting lasting donations to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, St. Bernards Cancer Center, Leachville Global Methodist Church or the Leachvile High School Gymnasium fund. Online guest register: www.howardfuneralservice.com