Joe D. Magness

Joe Donald Magness, age 93, died August 17, 2026. He was born in Plainview (Yell County), Arkansas, on August 17, 1933, to the late Fay R. and Nelia Forrest Magness.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Billy Magness; and sister, Betty Magness. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Morphis Magness; sons: Larry (LD) Magness (Ruthy) of Alexander, and Gregory Magness of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter: Missa Hancock (Michael) of Longview, Texas; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Joe was a graduate of Russellville High School, attended Arkansas Tech University, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers and Tau Beta Pi. He was employed by the Arkansas Highway Department for 32 years and later by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 23 years. He and Bonnie enjoyed 72 years of happy marriage and traveled to all 50 states, twelve foreign countries, and five Canadian Provinces.

He was a member of Geyer Springs Baptist Church for 57 years, where he taught intermediate boys' and girls' Sunday School and sang in the Adult Choirs.

To honor and celebrate Joe’s life, a visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Geyer Springs Baptist Church, with a funeral service starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.