Josh Robert Bean

“J. R.,” Josh Robert Bean, also known as Sooner Boy of Arkoma, OK passed away February 5, 2011. He was born November 2, 1938 in McCurtain, OK to Amos A. Bean and Erma Tonie Casey Bean. He attended grade school in South Ft. Smith and went to Ramsey Junior High the first year it opened. He excelled at sports, including football, baseball and track at Ramsey. He played at Ramsey for the legendary Coach Bill Malone. His team won the first sports trophy in football. He attended Spiro High School and played football for Coach Dwight Blankenship. He set many records in football and ran the 100 yard dash under 10 seconds. He loved football and was an avid OU fan. He retired from Tri-State Beverage as a route salesman with many customers as friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Ellen.

He is survived by son Bradley Paul Bean and wife Melissa, of Arkoma, OK and daughters Shannon Bean Riddle and Carl, of Roland, OK and Sherri Bean Jones and husband Rickey of Roland, OK. Grandsons are Josh Rogers and wife Lori, Charley Bean and Christian Jones. Granddaughters are Rachel Riddle Hatfield and husband Justin, Cara Bean Stewart and husband Jason, Rachelle Bean Garner and husband Ronnie, and Raygon Jones. Step-grandsons are Rickey Jones, Jr. and Dusty Jones. Step-granddaughter, Michelle Yeakley. Four great grandsons and seven great granddaughters. His sisters are Gail White of Spiro, OK and Evelyn Gower and husband Lee of Phoenix, AZ. Nieces are Cindy Prince, Gaylene Smith and husband Tim. Nephews are Jackie and Richard Martin, Billy and David Gower. Extended family and friends, special girls, Presleigh and Stephanie Atkins, Chris and Talon Atkins, Sharon Perkins, Stan Cottrell, R. B. Leatherwood and many special neighborhood friends. “Sooner Boy” to all his CB friends, Dana and Lisa Southerland and many others.

Memorial Service will be at 2:00PM, Sunday, March 13th, 2011 at Cavanaugh United Methodist Church, 7205 Hwy. 271 South, Fort Smith, AR.

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com