Richard Shull

Following a three year illness with cancer, Richard Shull went to heaven on Friday, August 8, at his home in Mena. Richard was born August 1, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Roy Shull and Normalee Plummer Shull. He graduated from Hall High School in 1966. During high school, Richard played alto sax in the Hall High band and attended yearly band camps. He also was accomplished in playing the piano and organ. Richard graduated from the University of Little Rock with a Bachelor's degree in business. After working several years in management positions, he returned to college, earning an MBA from the University of Central Arkansas in 1984. From 1985 to 1999, Richard was employed by the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, as the financial officer for the College of Agriculture and Agricultural Research. He retired in 1999 and moved to Mena where his wife, Janis, grew up. After retiring, Richard developed an interest in photography. He has been a member of Mena Art Gallery since 2000 and also served on the Board of Directors. He and his wife, Janis, coordinated the annual photography show for the past decade and taught classes in photography. Richard's photographs have won awards in Mena Art Gallery shows and in regional competitions. They also appear in a collection of poems by Gloria Okes Perkins. Richard invited Christ into his life on December 26, 1980. He was a member of Grace Bible Church in Mena. He leaves behind his wife, Janis Geyer Shull, a daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Clint Pannell and a granddaughter, Kaleigh, all of Mena. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren, Alex Pannell, Nick Pannell, and Olivia Reaves, all of Benton, Arkansas. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Ralph Shull and wife, Callie, of Maumelle, Arkansas, as well as two nephews, Mark and Drew Shull and their families. A memorial celebration is planned for Saturday, August 23, at 2 p.m. at Grace Bible Church. Arrangements were made under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena. Instead of flowers, the family requests that friends make a contribution to Mena Art Gallery in Richard's memory.