Jonesboro - Rev. J. R. "James Robert" McElhannon, a longtime resident of Jonesboro, reached his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, October 17, 2018

He was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma on July 19, 1944 to Rev. M.K. and Rosetta Been McElhannon.
He was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for nearly 50 years, pastoring churches in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kansas. After retiring from full-time ministry, he had pastoral charges with the United Methodist Churches in Mammoth Spring and Camp, Arkansas. At the time of his death, he was serving as pastor of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in the Lorado community and Pine Log Methodist Church near Brookland. One of his passions was providing mentorship to those fulfilling the call of God in their lives. In earlier years, he held several children's crusades in Oklahoma and Arkansas, ministering as Busooka the Clown, captivating children with puppets, slight of hand tricks, and making Bible stories come to life.

In recent years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife; was an avid Arkansas State University football and basketball fan; and thoroughly enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His favorite thing to do was to "pester, pester, pester" them. He also never met a stranger, and he touched many lives with his humor, wit, and charisma.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserve, training troops deployed to Vietnam.
He married the love of his life, Gwendolyne Hill McElhannon on February 21, 1964. They have shared 54 years of love and commitment.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father \u0026 mother-in-law, Rev. Alva \u0026 Ella Mae Hill; brother, Marvin Lee McElhannon; sister-in-law, Nadine McElhannon; and nephew, Rev. Rick McElhannon.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Michele (Glen) Dunnam, and Rev. Shawn (Sherry) McElhannon, both of Jonesboro; grandchildren: Jonathan (Brandi) Dunnam of Pocahontas, Jeremy (Ashley) Brown of Paragould, Stephen (Emily) Dunnam of Jonesboro, Jordan Brown of Bay, Thomas Dunnam, Shayden McElhannon, Shyler McElhannon, and Shelsi McElhannon, all of Jonesboro; great-grandchildren, Kingston Dunnam, Aubrey Dunnam, Brantley Brown, Harper Brown, Jack Dunnam, Everett Brown, and an unborn great-grandchild arriving in March; his brothers Edgar (Ruth) McElhannon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Walter (Barbara) McElhannon of Seminole, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Debbie (Ed) Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces, Regina (Jeff) Lang, Dianna McElhannon, Dawnita Hill, Amanda (Joseph) Rudolph, Jennifer (Joseph) Geilfuss, and Meghan Taylor; nephews, Reggie McElhannon, Charles (Bonita) McElhannon, Chris (Donna) McElhannon, and Denton McElhannon; special family members, Harriet McElhannon Parker, Beth Anne Dunnam, Christin Brown, and a host of loving friends and family members across the country.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Shawn McElhannon, Rev. Kenneth Doke, and Rev. Ronnie Snow officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 Friday, October 19, 2018 at the funeral home.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are his grandchildren whom he adored: Jonathan, Jeremy, Stephen, Jordan, Thomas, Shayden, Shyler, and Shelsi.

Honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are minister friends of the Assemblies of God and United Methodist Church.