of Searcy, AR

January 11, 1945 - August 29, 2023

Boyce Henry Arnett, of Searcy, Arkansas passed away peacefully in his home on August 29, 2023 following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born January 11th, 1945 in Bangor, Maine to Herbert Henry and Mildred Holbrooks Arnett, while his father was stationed there during the closing days of World War II. His parents were native to Jackson County, Arkansas, where they returned following the end of the war.

Boyce spent his boyhood days on the farmlands of Jackson County and in Beedeville, where his grandparents operated a general store, as well as with his beloved playmates on Congress Street in Newport. Those early friendships endured for nearly 80 years.

Boyce graduated from Newport High School in 1962, where he played basketball, baseball and football. Throughout his life he had a passion for sports and coached many youth teams. His hobbies included playing tennis and golf with his buddies, supporting Harding University sports, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks, spending time with family (especially his grandkids) and giving back to his church family in a variety of capacities. He was long time member of the Bison Booster club and the Harding Development Council.

Boyce met Mary Ann Holder at Harding College when she arrived as a freshman in 1963. They married on June 1, 1964 in Spring Hill, Tennessee and began a life together that was marked by devotion to each other and their family, as well as a partnership that supported owning and operating a successful business. Their daughter, Jan, was added in 1966, followed by son, Jon, in 1969.

Boyce attended Harding College from 1962-1964 and graduated from the Arkansas School of Pharmacy, class of 1967. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college. After graduating pharmacy school, he began his 45-year career as a pharmacist with Headlee Drugstore in Newport. In 1974, he purchased the Medical Center Pharmacy in Searcy and devoted his entire career to the Searcy community. In 2009, he sold the pharmacy to Casey McLeod, where she continues his legacy of delivering passionate care to the Searcy community.

Boyce was a member of the Downtown Church of Christ for almost 50 years, serving as a youth mentor, Bible class teacher, deacon and elder. A quiet and gentle believer, his influence flowed from the church out into his community through his service in the Searcy Optimist Club, support of Sparrow's Promise and various other youth related organizations, board member for Camp Wyldewood and later as the Board Chairman of the Long-Term Advanced Care Hospital. He spent many fun filled years sponsoring the men's social club Kappa Sigma at Harding, providing guidance and mentoring young students. He was a long-time member of the Arkansas Pharmacy Association.

In retirement, he enjoyed traveling to support his grandchildren in their various activities from sporting events, to dance, plays, recitals and cheer competitions. For many years he was a constant presence at their events, no matter the distance. He also enjoyed several road trips with his buddies to watch his St. Louis Cardinals play, as well as memorable vacations with his wife, Mary Ann.

He was a devoted Christian, loving husband for almost 60 wonderful years, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Boyce was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred Holbrooks Arnett of Newport, Arkansas.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Holder Arnett; a daughter, Jan Arnett Vance and her husband, Ben Vance of Chattanooga, Tennessee and a son, Jon Arnett and his wife, Lori Adkins Arnett of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren: Caroline Vance Lan and her husband, Eric, Mary Catherine Vance, Charlotte Vance, Ellie Arnett Shelby and her husband, Brayden, Carson Arnett Campbell and her husband, Chase, Molli Arnett and Grey Arnett and one great grandson, Jon David Shelby. He is also survived by one sister, Brenda Arnett Garcia and her husband, Efrain Garcia of Laredo, Texas.

Honorary pallbearers include Mike Arnett, Steve Smith, Donnie Miller, Jim House, Don Darling, Efrain Garcia and John Henderson. Pallbearers are Ben Vance, Brayden Shelby, Eric Lan, Chase Campbell, Grey Arnett and Thad Lievens.

The family wishes to extend their most heartfelt thanks to his wonderful, compassionate caregivers, DeAnn Piker, Jamie Clemons, Sarah Money, Sarah Decker, Christopher Medler and Deana Huffman, but most of all our devoted mother, Mary Ann, who selflessly cared for him over the last seven years. We also wish to thank the many medical professionals who remained by his side through his difficult journey: Dr. John Henderson, personal physician Dr. David Johnson, Andy Justus, PA, Dr. Kelsey Reeley, the dedicated staff of Hospice Homecare and our dear friend Casey McLeod.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023 at Downtown Church of Christ Family Life Center with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be directed to Sparrow's Promise at www.sparrowspromise.org in memory of a life well lived.

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