Joan R. Zumwalt

Joan R. Zumwalt of Jacksonville, AR, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, December 18, 2021. In 2000, she moved into the newly constructed home (that she loved) and would often inform her children that she wanted to be in it until the very end. To nobody’s surprise, she did what she said she was going to do.

Born to John and Mossie Tyler on April 7, 1934 in Stanford, Kentucky, Joan was the youngest of five siblings. Joan attended Purdue University and later earned her communication license.

In 1963, Joan moved to Jacksonville to start a radio station with the late Ben Rice. Soon after, she became a single parent supporting her three children and her mother. It was at this time that she opened a collection agency. Being a hard worker and extremely determined, her successful collection agency allowed her to provide for her family’s needs and many of their wants.

In the early 70’s, Phyllis Padgett-Voss approached Joan about the need for a center to help disabled people. Joan got to work and found a $12,000 grant and a donated two-room office. Pathfinder, Inc. was opened. The grant was used to compensate Phyllis and buy supplies. Joan understood the need for these services and found another grant that was a three-to-one match, meaning, if she could raise $25,000, the grant would supply another $75,000. Friends and community members told her that she would never be able to do it. Going business to business, Joan raised the $25,000 within three days! That’s when friends knew that once she set her mind to something, it was going to get done!

Joan and her husband, Col McLyle Zumwalt, continued their passion of providing services to special needs children and adults as they both served on the Pathfinder Board from day one. At Joan’s death, she was still the Chairperson of the Board at Pathfinder, Inc. and greatly involved in its continued success. Pathfinder has grown from a two room office, with six disabled chilren and one teacher, to the largest centrally located employer north of the Arkansas river.

Another passion of Col Zumwalt’s and Joan was the military. Having served 30 years in uniform, “Zumie” (as she called him) and Joan provided funding to start the Jacksonville Museum of Military History. Her tenacity and determination later led to the mounting of a fighter jet and military helicopter on the grounds of the Museum.

Also in the 70’s, Joan purchased a small liquor store at the Pulaski – Lonoke county line. With hard work and a great business mind, Joan grew Ace Liquor in both size and volume. Until she sold the store to her good friend Nick Pierce in 2012, Joan could be found at Ace from early morning until early evening almost daily. Snow and ice didn’t even keep her home!

Joan’s involvement in business and community was evident as she served on many boards and executive positions including Centennial Bank, Jacksonville Utility Commission, Jacksonville United Methodist Church, United Way of Pulaski County, Jacksonville Historical Society, Better Business Bureau of Arkansas and was Charter President of the Jacksonville Medical Auxilary. Joan also served as a charter member of Foxwood (now Southern Oaks) Country Club in Jacksonville. At her death, she was co-owner of the club along with her dear friend, Harold Gwatney.

Joan’s two favorite hobbies were gardening and genealogy. Her Master Gardener skills were most evident in her own, beautiful yard. Her gardening and landscaping skills were also put to use at Pathfinder’s administrative facility, Jacksonville City Hall, Jacksonville. Community Center and other community agencies. Joan was also very involved with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and received the National Conservation Medal from the National Society of the DAR for her community beautification efforts.

Having accomplished so much in life, she would be quick to tell you that her best work was giving birth to, and raising, three wonderful children; Greg, Lisa Jo and Kelli Jo. Being a single mom most of their childhood, Joan worked hard assuring that their needs were met. Of great importance to her was making sure that they (and later their children) received their post-secondary education degrees. At her nudging ... which could be strong at times ... Greg went on to receive his doctorate. His beautifully framed diploma has hung proudly in Joan’s office ever since.

Joan was pre-deceased by her husband of 27 years, Col. McLyle Zumwalt as well as siblings Hope Jacobs, John Tyler and Gene Tyler. She is survived by her children, Greg Jones (Doris), Lisa Bamburg (Mary Alice) and Kelli Zumwalt (Sarah); grandchildren, Josh Jones (Lisa), Kindra Shafer (Dave), Tyler Jones (Jessica), Elise Taylor (Trint) and Joel Bamburg; great-grandchildren Peyton, Grant and Logan; sister Barbara Randall; a host of nieces and nephews; and the man she loved dearly, Rev. Wendell Dorman.

Visitation (First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville) will be Wednesday, December 22, at 10:00am followed by an 11:00am celebration of Joan’s life.

Joan requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Pathfinder, Inc. and the Jacksonville Museum of Military History.

Joan was once quoted in a newspaper article as saying, “Granddad said, ‘You should always give more than you take,’ and I try to do that.” Mom, you more than exceeded in that effort!