John Richard Shores, 75, of Bentonville, AR passed away Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Fayetteville, AR. He was born May 9, 1940 in Rogers, AR to Raymond Oscar and Ruby Beaver Shores. He owned and operated Bentonville Furniture, Inc. in downtown Bentonville for 40 years until he and his wife, Mary Kay, closed the store and retired in May of 2000. He was past president of the Arkansas Home Furnishings Association and was a 2011 Retail Inductee into the Arkansas Home Furnishings Association Hall of Fame. John was an active supporter of the Bentonville community, and he worked behind the scenes for decades to help develop downtown Bentonville. In the late 70’s, he founded the non-profit organization Downtown Development, Inc., and he continued to serve on the board until his death. He helped to form the Downtown Bentonville Parking District and served as its commissioner for many years. He served on the Bentonville City Council, the Benton County Historical Society and was a volunteer firefighter in his early years. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist church in Bentonville for over 25 years where he served as a trustee and as a member of several committees. He was active in Methodist’s Men’s Ministry and cooked breakfast for the men every Tuesday morning. For many years he transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the quilts made by Granny’s Quilts Ministry. In his spare time, John enjoyed traveling in his RV with Mary Kay, making Artesia wood wall art and stain glass pieces, restoring old Volkswagens, and spending time with family and friends. John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Kay Shores; daughter, Sandy Loveless and husband, Matt, and son, Gregg Shores and wife, Lori all of Bentonville; five grandchildren, Mary Beth, Luke and Jon Thomas Loveless and Justin Shores all of Bentonville, and Kayla Fitts of Harrison; and two great-grandchildren, Kynslie and Kaidyn of Harrison. A visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville with the Rev. Dr. Kurt Boggan officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Hart Cemetery on South Rainbow Road in Bentonville. Memorials may be made in his honor to First United Methodist Church, 201 NW 2nd Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Online condolences may be made to stockdalefuneral.com.
Coldolences God must have seen the good deeds John performed on earth and decided he needed him in Heaven. He will be missed. Prayers for his family. Jerry & Charlene Ferguson
Mary Kay, my heart goes out to you.There are many heavy hearts in Northwest Arkansas as we say good bye to a dear respected friend. Gone but not forgotten! Teresa L. Carnes-Helms
Mary Kay and family. You are in our thoughts & prayers. We thought a lot of John and he will be thoroughly missed. In God's Love. Sara and Rick Edgar.
Mary Kay, Sending love & prayers to you & your family. So many great memories of John, he sure was an inspiration to many. Bentonville will forever remember his contributions to the community. Much love to you. Della Ivy
R.I.P. Mr Shores. Our very ill children at A.C.H. have felt the comfort of the many quilts, pillows, caps/hats that you so joyfully and compassionately carried and delivered to them. Granny's Quilts of Love was so blessed to have your diligent support. You are forever missed. Our DEEPEST SYMPATHY to Mrs Shores, family and friends. Granny & Quilts of Love
Mary Kay & Family, My deepest condolences. John always made me laugh. He was one of a kind. So glad I visited with him at Wal-Mart just a short time ago. You will be missed by many!! RIP John Judy Davidson
I have so many memories of Mr. and Mrs. Shores being sweet to the Dossey kids when we came trick-or-treating or to see our Granny Oleta and run around like monkeys in Bentonville Furniture. I wish we could have been at my dad's party, to see everyone that came and now I especially wish I could have given Mr. John a hug that night. I smile knowing big Jerry was there to be one of the first to greet him. My most heartfelt empathy to the entire family, Heather Dossey
Mr.Shores has helped me numerous times over the years as my close neighbor. He will be missed by many ! To say he is a Wonderful man is an understatement ! This hurts my heart ! He has been a wonderful neighbor to me in all that I have been through this year since being diagnosed back in December. He has checked on me almost weekly and after my last surgery brought me a walker to help get me walking around again. I sure will miss this man very much !! We would sit out in the shop and talk about the good old times and of course his stories were endless about Bentonville since he's been here since 1950's He's one of those that I could've sat and listened to stories to all day and night!! I sure will miss this man and this community has lost a great contributor to many many organizations. I pray for Mary and the rest of the family during this hard time #128591 Jay Flaa
Mary, Scott and I are so sorry for your loss. We will miss him, he was always so kind to us and I loved his quiet manner. We pray for comfort for you, your family, and Greg and Lori. Scott and Vicque White
Mary Kay and family, you are in our prayers and if we can be of any help please call us. We have always enjoyed knowing your family and John will be missed. #128521 Edward & Stephanie Sandlin
Message_To_Family = My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Mary Kay, you and John were such great friends of my parents, and I remember meaning times when we were all together. It was a shock to hear about John. I know him and Dad are up in Heaven now causing havoc! #128521 Kimalee Marple
Mary Kay, Sandy, Matt, Greg, Lori and kids, We are deeply saddened at the loss of your husband, father, grandpa and everyone's friend. John was such a fine and honorable man. He lived a wonderful life while making everyone around him smile. We will remember him all of our days with fondness and admiration. You are all in our prayers. Sincerely, Russ and Sue
Mary Kay & Family, My deepest condolences. John always made me laugh. He was one of a kind. So glad I visited with him at Wal-Mart just a short time ago. You will be missed by many!! RIP John Judy Davidson
Dear Mary Kay, We wish to express our deepest sympathy to you. John was a wonderful man and we were happy to call him (and you) our friends. He will be deeply missed. May God give you peace and strength during these difficult days. We will keep you in our prayers. Love, Paul and Marilyn Wyrick
Name = City = Rogers State = Arkansas Zip = 72758 Email = [email protected] PUBLIC/PRIVATE = Public LovedOnesName = John Shores Message_To_Family = My thoughts and prayers for the family. I got to know Mr. Shores when he came to visit at the Bentonville Manor Nursing Home. He was always so friendly and always stopped by my office on his way out, just to say hello and see you later. He will be deeply missed. Mary Rice
Mary Kay and family we are so sorry for your loss. Know we are thinking of you George & Janet Sutton