Jonathan Perry Abbott

Jonathan Perry Abbott of Blytheville and Mountain Home, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 17, 2023.  He was a 1961 graduate of Blytheville High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and proudly served his country in the Army’s esteemed 82nd Airborne Division.  He was a certified parachute rigger and successfully completed 65 jumps out of perfectly good airplanes.

Jonathan possessed a love of history and family genealogy.  He participated in many historical societies not only in Arkansas, but also Tennessee, Illinois, and North Carolina.  He loved Mississippi County and was the source for information on the founding of Blytheville and Mississippi County lore.  He was a master storyteller and taught Genealogy at Arkansas Northeastern College.  He authored or co-authored several books, including histories Blytheville and First Baptist Church of Blytheville.  

Jonathan adored cars and was a talented mechanic.  He was proud of the fact that he owned a 1965 Shelby Cobra.  He loved NASCAR and was offered the opportunity to work as a NASCAR mechanic.  A jack of all trades, he ran a successful dump truck business with his father-in-law Darrell Lunsford, farmed cotton, soybeans, corn and rice in both Arkansas and the bootheel of Missouri.  He was authorized to ride along with the Arkansas State Police and enjoyed many wild adventures with his good buddy Trooper Larry Folkner.

Jonathan was a natural politician and was heavily involved in local politics. He served multiple terms and served as Chairman of the Mississippi County Planning Commission.  Additionally, he served two terms as Justice of the Peace on the Mississippi County Quorum Court.  He was active in the Friends of the Ritz and the Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, participating in the first class of the Blytheville Leadership Institute. 

Jonathan was a long-term member of First Baptist Church of Blytheville and more recently joined and loved attending Bethany Baptist Church.  He loved Disney World, and enjoyed eating out, especially with his dear friends at El Puerto de Acapulco where he fist bumped every person who walked by his table. 

Jonathan was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Milo and Pauline Sunshine Abbott, his dear brother Peter Abbott, brothers Charles Abbott, Ben Abbott, sisters Vergie Mae Geary and Billie Jean Barnes, nephew Andrew Abbott and special brother-in-law Dr. Tommy Joe Carney.  Jonathan is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Margaret Lunsford Abbott, his daughter Circuit Judge Johnnie Abbott Copeland, son in law Scott Copeland and grandson Colin Copeland of Mountain Home, and numerous family and friends including sister-in-law Dr. Mabelee Carney and family of Mountain Home. 

The family would also like to thank Leslie Leija and Tamika Williams, his "helpers" (as he so fondly referred to them).

Donations may be made to ANC Foundation, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, or Charity of your choice.

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