Victor Hosman

1948 - 2021

PARAGOULD - Retired Lt. Col. James Victor Hosman passed from this life peacefully, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2021, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was 73.

Vic was born Jan. 28, 1948, in Paragould to J.B. and Hattie Blansett Hosman. He was their only child and the light of their lives.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; cousin, Jo Ann (Kelly) Wright and their daughters, Shellei (Shad) Rowe and Whitney (Charles) Nelson and their families.

Larry (Sheila) Davis is another cousin that lives in Paragould. Because Vic had more than 18 aunts and uncles, he leaves a multitude of cousins.

He had a close relationship with each of them and their extended families. His love for genealogy kept him always looking for more.

Vic graduated in 1966 from Southland High School in Cardwell, Mo., along with his future wife, Jeanne.

He attended Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1970. He later received a master's degree in management from Webster University in St. Louis.

Vic was career military. He entered the United States Air Force in August 1970 and retired as a lieutenant colonel after nearly 21 years of service.

As an Air Force hospital administrator, Col. Hosman worked in hospitals on bases throughout the United States and in Zaragoza, Spain.

Decorations received during his career include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He also received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf, the Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

Vic had lived in Paragould since his retirement and was active in his church, East Side Baptist Church; his college fraternity alumni association; and the Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society.

Vic and Jeanne rekindled their friendship from high school after she was widowed and returned to Paragould to care for her aging mother.

They eloped to Las Vegas in 2017 and were married at the Little Church of the West on Christmas Day. (Elvis didn't officiate but was spotted lurking in the shadows).

Vic and Jeanne were avid travelers and had visited over 50 countries in the past several years.

Services will be Monday at Heath Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and the funeral at 2 p.m. Mike Ford will officiate along with Kelly Wright.

Burial with full military honors will be officiated by Larry Davis in Cardwell Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Larry Holcomb, Kevin Felts, Larry Beliew, Rick Walker, Tim Fitzgerald and Morris Lambert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are asked to be made to Children's Homes Inc. in Paragould.