Ronald Lee Hogue, 86, passed away January 22, 2021, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born March 22, 1934 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Ernest and Thelma Bryant Hogue. He was a graduate of Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO and of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He also attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. On October 16, 1964, Ron married Wiladean Hogue. They farmed rice and soybeans and founded Southern Brown Rice in Weiner in 1979. The couple built the business in part by personally delivering family-grown rice throughout the United States using trucks and horse trailers. Ron was a lifelong advocate for Arkansas-grown rice. Ron and Willadean lived in Weiner before moving to Jonesboro in 1999.

Ron was a member of First United Methodist Church and looked forward to attending church each Sunday. He loved music and was accomplished on piano and classical guitar.

Preceded in death by his parents and brother John Hogue, Ron is survived by his wife, Willadean; brother Dr. Ernest Lewis (Nancy) Hogue, and children, Rona Hogue Hatcher of Weiner, Randy Hogue of Weiner, Deana (Bill) Weeks of Jonesboro, and Lee (Dana) Hogue of Jonesboro.

He was a proud grandfather to Weston (Zoe) Weeks, Lauren (Zac) McCullar, Kaylyn Hogue, Alden Weeks, Madison Hogue, Jordan Hatcher, Nicholas Hatcher, Rees Hogue, Harrison Hogue, and Conner Hogue. He recently welcomed his first great grandchild, Lynlee McCullar.

A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Weiner on Thursday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, and Oak Grove Cemetery in Weiner, P.O. Box 295 Weiner, AR 72479

All attendees must wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines.