Ralph Coonts, age 88 of Piercetown, passed away at his home on Monday, March 12, 2007. The son of Walter Scott and Myrtle Viancie (Cheatham) Coonts, was born at Mt. Judea, Arkansas on January 4, 1919. He was a lifetime resident of Newton county and a member of the Big Creek Assembly of God Church in Vendor. Ralph was also a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army and was a recipient of the Purple Heart from his Service in Europe. Ralph was a member of DAV for over 60 years. After his return from WWII he and his wife bought a farm in Piercetown. Ralph was a 25 year employee of Crouse Construction Company, taking great pride in his work with the many bridges that he had a hand in building in Northwest Arkansas.


He enjoyed conversations with fellow veterans about his years of service to the country he dearly loved. Beyond being a great farmer, Ralph was a talented gardener and well known for his fine tomatoes. He was very dedicated to his family, church, his friends and his neighbors, and will be dearly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers including: Custer Coonts, Ted Coonts, Junior Coonts, and two infants.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bessie (Maberry) Coonts; one son, Lawton Coonts of Brookfield, Wisconsin; one daughter, Teresa Coonts of Council Bluffs, Iowa; one brother, Wilburn Coonts of Piercetown; two precious granddaughters and their husbands, Christy and Chris Markgraf and Nicole and Nathan McIntyre all of Nashville, Tennessee; one great grandson, Braedon McIntyre and an expected great granddaughter, Madelynne Markgraf; along with many nieces and nephews that loved him dearly.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 14, 5-8 PM at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper. Service is Thursday, 2:00 PM at Big Creek Assembly of God Church with Rev. Charles Christian and Rev. Rex Middleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith Cemetery. Pallbearers are Lexie and Roy Coonts, Timothy, Herman and Tommy Earwood and Joe Kenneth Maberry. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Tom Langston, his nurse, Jan Ragland and Ralph's many friends.

Memorials may be made to the Big Creek Assembly of God Church, PO Box 117, Vendor, AR 72683.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com