J. B. Elvin Vanaman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

J. B. Elvin Vanaman passed away November 1, 2021, at the Woodruff County Health Center in McCrory, Arkansas. J. B. was born in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, to Charlie Harmon Vanaman and Addie Pearl Hargis on October 27, 1924. He attended school in Hickory Ridge until he left in the 11th grade to join the Air Force on July 18, 1942. He served in 15th Air Force, 741st Squadron, 455th Bomber Group during World War II as a Nose Gunner in a B-24 Heavy Bomber, known as the "Gremlins Gripe". During this time he was credited with 46 missions, with each mission averaging 9 to 10 hours long. He also had 4 missions averaging 4 hours (but received no credit because they were too short) and had 6 turn back missions. During these missions they were over Italy, Africa, France, Southern Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania (7 missions to the Ploesti Oil Refinery) and Bulgaria. He flew his last mission on June 6, 1944. There were 193 planes in his Squadron and only 23 planes were left when he flew his last mission. He came back stateside on August 3, 1944, and was discharged, October 3, 1945. J. B. started his farming career in 1946 raising rice and soybeans. He farmed for 46 years before retiring, and was still able to water a 17 acre field at age 92. He served on the board at Riceland Foods for several years and the school board at Cross County High School. He was the last member of the Hickory Ridge American Legion. He taught many people in Hickory Ridge to play tennis and was instrumental in building tennis courts at the school in Hickory Ridge. He would keep his tennis racket and shoes in his truck and run and play a game or two, any chance he could. After he returned to the United States, he married the love of his life, Doris Edith Imboden on August 12, 1944. They were married for 70 years until Doris passed away on March 7, 2015. They had three children, daughter, Margaret Ann Vanaman Goodart and husband Roy, son, Robert Carl Vanaman and wife Laura, daughter, Patti Denise Vanaman Turner and husband Jack. He had 4 grandchildren, Roy Allen Goodart II and wife Stephanie, Kyle Jay Goodart, Christopher Lee Vanaman and wife Stacey, Jamie Lynn Vanaman Bush and husband Bryan. J. B. also has eight great grandchildren, Bailey Mekelle Goodart Rose and husband Alan, Bairek Heston Bush, Kristin Lynn Vanaman, Adisen Mekay Goodart, Colton Robert Bush, Jackson Taylor Goodart, Christopher Jake Vanaman, Rylee Jo Bush, step-great grandchildren, Jackson Shaw and wife Haley, Ben Shaw and Addy Kate Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Clifton, Johnny, Theodore, Roy, Doyle, Dan and Jack and only sister, Geneva Baker. Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021, at 2 PM, at Lewis Cemetery with Mike Bachand officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lewis Cemetery, P. O. Box 94, Hickory Ridge, Arkansas 72347, or Veterans Helping Veterans of NEA in Jonesboro.

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J. B. Elvin Vanaman

October 27, 1924 - November 1, 2021