Elmer 'Buddy' Gore Jr.

Elmer (Buddy) Gore, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, at Forrest City Memorial Hospital. Born on September 5,1933, in Palestine, Arkansas to Elmer (Dick) Gore and Maxine (Halbert) Gore, he spent his early years in Palestine before moving to Los Angeles, CA, in his late teens to seek work. It was in Los Angeles where he met his bride-to-be, Joyce Ann Kelley Gore, and married in Needles, Arizona on November 24, 1949. They both loved the beach and Buddy learned how to surf while living in LA. Over the years before returning to Arkansas they lived in Flint, Michigan, where he worked for General Motors and continued to expand his family. Upon returning to Arkansas and settling in Beck Spur he gained employment at Yale, Inc., starting as a machinist, and working his way up to supervisor at the time of his retirement. At Yale, Buddy made many life long friends who he stayed in touch with over the years. Upon retirement, he worked part-time for the Forrest City Times Hearld for five years. Buddy and Joyce raised six children, five daughters and one son. They enjoyed dancing, eating out, antique hunting, and socializing at the Moose Lodge. They also enjoyed listening together to Paul Harvey at 6:00 pm every day. Additionally, Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming, roller skating, bowling, and spending time out on his property. Buddy is survived by four daughters, Joy Barber of Dover, Arkansas, Jenny (John) Zuber of London, Arkansas, Rebecca (Don) Sudbery of Newcastle, Oklahoma and Lana Ivy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and one son, Sam Gore of Forrest City, Arkansas. Surviving grandchildren include Lori Smith (Shawn) Oklahoma City, Samatha Gore of Memphis, TN, Casey Barber (Jennifer) of Calhoun, LA, Andrew Ivy (Amanda) of Oklahoma City, and great grandchildren, Skylar (Parrish) Ross, Jackson Smith, Reid Smith, and Jarrett Thigpen. His surviving siblings include two sisters and one brother; Helen Devasier of Batesville, Arkansas, Clinton (Kay) Gore of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Van (Skipper) Compton of Little Rock, Arkansas and numerous nieces and nephews. Buddy was predeceased in death by his parents, Dick and Maxie Gore, his wife, Joyce Ann (Kelley) Gore, his daughter, Linda Sue Lantrip, two son-in-law’s, Michael Zuber and Don Sudberry and siblings, Harry (Pee Wee) Gore, Jean Parker, Joyce Pippin, and niece and nephews, Richard Parker, Cindy Lou Lawson, Larry Lipton, and Jeff Gore. A celebration of his life will be held at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 2:00 P.M. Monday, with burial in Bell Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, 1:00 P.M., until the time of the service. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry.

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Elmer 'Buddy' Gore Jr.

September 5, 1931 - January 25, 2026