Dr. Kenneth A. Threet

Dr. Kenneth A. Threet, 80

Dr. Kenneth A.Threet, 80 of Jonesboro, passed away Friday evening, October 21 (2011) at his home in Jonesboro.

Dr. Threet was born in Lead Hill, AR and had lived in Jonesboro for the past 11 years after moving from Lead Hill, with his wife of 59 years, Ruth Threet, who preceded him in death in March of this year. Dr. Threet served faithfully in Christian ministry for over 65 years. He served as pastor of Oregon Flat Baptist Church near Lead Hill; New Hope Baptist Church in Smithville; Southside Mission of First Baptist Paragould (now Immanuel Baptist Church); Beck Spur Baptist Church in Forrest City; Belmont Park Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas; First Baptist Church of Oran, MO; First Baptist Church of Piggott; First Baptist Church of Mountain Home, AR; and Southside Baptist Church of Lead Hill. During his years of service as a pastor, Dr Threet held the position of Vice President of the Arkansas State Baptist Convention on three separate occasions, served on Board of Trustees at Southern Baptist College (now Williams Baptist College) for 16 years, including three times as president, and taught English and Social Science at North Arkansas Community College for 9 years.

Dr. Threet was a graduate of the Berry School of Horsemanship, with an emphasis on trick horses; a graduate of Lead Hill High School; a graduate of Southern Baptist College; received his Bachelor of Arts from Arkansas State University; earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and received his Doctorate of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary.

During his life Dr. Threet received many honors and accolades. He was asked to preach his own Baccalaureate service at Lead Hill High School, was named Outstanding Man of the Year in 1968, and was recognized as Distinguished Baptist Minister in1971. He also led tours following the journeys of Jesus and Paul through the Holy Land. He conducted a television ministry titled "Threet's Treats" for 8 years, as well as wrote and produced a television documentary entitled "Working to Succeed". He authored many published articles, including articles on church growth, visitation, increasing church attendance, and church organization.

His leadership also extended into civic service. He was Chairman of the Northeast District of the Red Cross for 5 years, served as the honorary Chaplain of his local Arkansas National Guard for 20 years receiving an honorary commission as a Colonel. He was the Chaplain of the Clay County Jail and Piggott Hospital for 10 years. He was appointed to the Committee for Higher Education by Governor Rockefeller, was appointed to the Committee on Civil Disobedience by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and served as Chaplain of the Arkansas House and Senate on two separate occasions. Dr. Threet served on the Board of the School of New Hope for Special Children, the Board of Directors for North Arkansas Regional Medical Center for 12 years with one term as Chairman, and was Chairman of the Board to Establish and Maintain a Health Clinic in Lead Hill, AR from 1980 until his death

After his retirement from full time ministry in 1993, Dr. Threet continued to serve the Lord by taking on interim pastoral positions throughout Northeast Arkansas. For the last several years the focus of his ministry was leading a large Sunday School class at Nettleton Baptist Church, where he has been a member for the last 11 years.

Survivors include sons, Bill Threet and wife, Doreen, of Jonesboro; John Threet and wife, Donna of LeHigh Acres, Florida; daughters, Kenne Threet Grafton and husband, Jon of Alexandria, Louisiana; Lisa Mason of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Tyson Wade, Cory Wade and wife Laura Beth, Shanna Threet, Russell Threet and wife Sarah, Kimberly Meyers and husband, Jamin, Christal Niemeyer and husband Dan, Nicole Alicea and husband, Erik, Don Grafton, Ken Grafton, Amanda Veal and husband, Larry, 11 great grandchildren and numberous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 at Nettleton Baptist Church with Stan Ballard, Harold Ray and Raymond Atwood officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 5-7 Tuesday night at Emerson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 PM, Wednesday at Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas.

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider the Nettleton Baptist Church, 2111 Thorn Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401. To sign an online guest book, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.