Benny Ray Post was called home on October 13, 2024, at the age of 94.
Benny was born to Riley and Dorothy Post on November 25, 1929 at home in the Community of Pleasant Grove, AR. Benny and his family moved all across the country as his Dad worked in timber and later as a carpenter and contractor. Benny attended many different schools and once attended 6 different schools in one year as his parents moved for work. They returned to El Dorado, and he graduated from El Dorado High School in 1947. After graduation, he would attend the College of Ozarks in Clarksville where he would begin Pharmacy School. The College of Pharmacy would close 2 years later and he moved to Norman, OK to attend and finish his Pharmacy education, graduating in 1951. He tells many stories of hitchhiking from Norman to El Dorado for summers and holidays. After graduating Pharmacy School, he would return to El Dorado to work at Giles Hospital Pharmacy. While in El Dorado, he was drafted into the Army in 1954 to serve in the Korean War. He would be stationed in San Antonio where he was in charge of training MASH units to set up and take down before they left for Korea. He also served as a pharmacist at the San Antonio Army Hospital. He was Honorably discharged in 1956 and would return back to El Dorado and Giles Pharmacy where he would meet an Elementary School teacher who would steal his heart. He would marry the love of his life, Joyce Dennis on June 28, 1959. They would move to Smackover in 1961 where he would purchase the Shamrock Drug Store that he owned and operated until he sold it and retired in 1999.
Benny loved being a pharmacist and helping people, but he also loved his community of Smackover. Next to his Faith and Family, he treasured his friends and the town of Smackover. He would always tell people where he lived and enjoyed telling them about his town.
Benny and Joyce started their family in Smackover and were proud to call it their home until they were called to their eternal home.
Benny was very active in Pharmacy and served on the Arkansas Pharmacist Association Board of Directors as well as attending the yearly APA Convention. He was honored to receive the Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1968 which recognizes a pharmacist who has done the most to contribute to the growth of their community. He also enjoyed going to The Pharmacy District meetings and visiting with his pharmacy colleagues across the state. Locally he was a former member and President of the Lions Club, President of Smackover Little League, and a past member and President of the Smackover Chamber of Commerce. He was also a long-time member of Yocum Deer Camp which he joined in 1961 and made his final hunt at the age of 93 last year. Benny and Joyce enjoyed going to the Southwest Conference Basketball Tournament in Dallas every year and when the Hogs moved to the SEC they attended several of the SEC tournaments. He also enjoyed going to the National NAIA basketball Tournament in St Louis for many years with Donald Lambert and Bobby Newman.
Benny was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Smackover. He served as a Deacon as well as serving multiple terms as Chairman of the Deacons over the last 60 years. He also taught many Sunday school classes from youth to young married couples to most recently a class for Senior Adult men. He has been a pillar of the church over the last 63 years and just recently enjoyed being able to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Church.
Benny was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 64 years, Joyce Post. He is survived by his children, Benji Post (Tracie), and Kim Bradshaw (Robert Hodges), along with his Grandchildren Mary Ashton Ruddell (Blake), Abbigail Waters (Kolten), Matthew Post and Michael Post (Ashley). Great Grandchildren Milo and Everitt Waters, and Clayton, Maggie, and Able Ruddell, and nephews Johnny Dennis (Jackie) and Ricky Dennis (Nena).
Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Smackover Cemetery with a visitation to be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. preceding the service.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Post family.
