Arkansas Blog: J. B. Hunt dies

The J.B. Hunt trucking company has announced the death of founder J.B. Hunt, who has been hospitalized since a fall. The news release:

J. B. Hunt Transport Services regretfully announces the death of our founder Johnnie Bryan Hunt, Sr. Mr. Hunt was 79 years old.

Mr. Hunt retired from active service to the Company in 1995 but remained on the Board of Directors until 2004. After retiring from the Company, Mr. Hunt spent the last eleven years passionately pursuing new opportunities as a private investor in real estate, construction, development and other activities. A staunch supporter in the development of Northwest Arkansas, Mr. Hunt was an outspoken ambassador for the growth in the region who put his money where his mouth was by engaging in several projects that dot the Northwest Arkansas landscape and stand as a testimony to his progressive spirit.

Although Mr. Hunt had diversified his interests to nclude a broad array of businesses and projects, he and his wife of 54 years, Johnelle, remains the largest shareholder of JBHT stock. Serving as co-managers of J.B. Hunt, LLC, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have remained significant long-term holders of our stock and supporters of the Company. Mrs. Hunt and their son, Bryan, remain as Directors of the Company.

The son of Depression-era sharecroppers from rural Arkansas, J.B. leaves us with a legacy of hard work, family values, the importance of faith, the example of what determination can accomplish, an appreciation for philanthropy and a ton of memories.

Comments

I talked to a friend yesterday who was JB's cousin. We both agreed that he should go in the pantheon with Sam Walton and Jack Stephens as our state's most significant business leaders. He will be missed.

Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2006 12:41 PM

I was afraid of this. Rest in peace Mr. Hunt.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | December 7, 2006 01:10 PM

At the time J.B. Hunt bought the old First American National Bank in NLR I was with a company that did business with the bank. On the day Hunt took over I went to the bank with some loan documents. As I walked up to the east door three men were a little behind me. Just before I reached the door one of them got in front an opened the door for me. Later I realized it was J.B. Hunt.

Posted by: LAJ-Hillcrest | December 7, 2006 01:50 PM

I have to agree with Anonymous. Having met Mr. Hunt and visiting with him on several occasions (and, yes, at Neal's Cafe in Springdale, once), convinced me that he was a genuine, hard-working man who loved life. His contribution to the transportation industry cannot be understated.

Posted by: Hillcrustian | December 7, 2006 01:53 PM

JB used to eat at a corner place in Fayetteville, Jerry's (Dickson/College) then Jerry sold it to Eddie. Eddie was a smoker. One day I was having lunch and JB wagered her a $1000 to stop smoking, but had to give him a $1000 if she didn't. I heard he did that with lots of people as an enticement to quit smoking. No telling how many lives he extended.

Posted by: Lwood | December 7, 2006 02:00 PM

It just doesn't seem right that a guy like JB Hunt would go out by falling on ice. He was bigger than life. Another NWA icon gone, but he won't be forgotten.

Posted by: RickBaber | December 7, 2006 04:00 PM

I'm sure Mr. Hunt was a great man, and I am sorry he is is dead.
I am also sure that he had no idea how injured workers were treated, both by his company and the Arkansas Worker's Compensation Commission.

Posted by: BlueRidge | December 7, 2006 11:43 PM

Max, do you know where we would send flowers to?

Posted by: amydancingfish | December 8, 2006 10:04 AM

Arkansas Blog

J. B. Hunt dies

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