Jerry Lee Bogard

Jerry Lee Bogard of Stuttgart, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son, entered his eternal rest on October 24, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and the peace of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jerry Lee was born July 29, 1955 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Carl and Sylvia Bogard who went on to raise him and his siblings in Stuttgart where he would become a pillar, advocate and beloved friend to countless members of his community. He graduated from Stuttgart High School, where he excelled at every sport he committed to. Jerry Lee helped take the 1970 Ricebird football team to a state championship and later served as lettered co-captain of the team his senior year; he excelled in his positions as pitcher and home-run champ for the Birds baseball team and was a record setting state-champion relay-anchor for the track team. His love of athletic pursuits continued throughout his life even becoming involved in competitive taekwondo and earning his 4th-degree black belt in adulthood. After graduation, Jerry Lee attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he met the mother of his first two incredible children, Erin Leigh and William Skyles. “Mr. Fayetteville” left his own mark at the UofA, but cut his attendance short to return home to assist his father in running Bogard Grain and Seed Company following the passing of his grandfather, W.C.

All those that had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Jerry Lee understand that the stories of his adventures and in some cases, misadventures could fill hundreds of pages, making it nearly impossible to condense such a large life into a few simple paragraphs. Jerry Lee’s life was marked by resilience, faith, and deep love for those around him. Whether through hard work, quiet generosity, or words of encouragement, he touched lives in ways that will not be forgotten. His love for his family, children, friends, community, country and for God’s creation were endless and he spent his time here on earth in pursuit of leaving a strong positive impact on each.

Throughout adulthood Jerry Lee committed himself to a multitude of entrepreneurial endeavors. Notwithstanding the wide range of his talents, Jerry Lee forever considered himself a farmer having found a great love and appreciation for his time spent working the ground of God’s creation. He was a true conservationist who worked tirelessly to care for the soil, water, and wildlife that sustained us. His love for agriculture took him around the globe, ultimately having grown rice on three continents where he sought to help local farmers and their communities improve conditions. One of his last adventures overseas was during his time serving as a delegate to President Bill Clinton in sub-Saharan west Africa. His efforts in Nigeria and other developing countries reflected his lifelong belief that good stewardship and faith-based enterprise could change lives and build stronger communities around the world. It was during this time that Jerry Lee would meet the mother of his third child, Samuel Lee Bogard, who chases his passions in the same way that his father did in his own life.

At home, Jerry Lee was a community leader who voiced his opinions with conviction and offered steadfast support to worthwhile causes that strengthened his community. He remained an enthusiastic golfer throughout his life having won the local four-ball shootout just three months before his passing; he cherished his time spent on the course and the host of friends he enjoyed innumerable Wednesday afternoon rounds with. Jerry Lee was forever an avid sportsman, having spent countless mornings in the fields and flooded timber, sharing his passion for hunting with friends, family, and his faithful four-legged companions. One source of Jerry Lee’s joy was passing his wisdom of wildlife and hunting onto his children and watching them grow in their love for those early mornings or late afternoons waiting on the just-right flock, buck or turkey to finally come into view.

The accomplishment that Jerry Lee believed all his good and remarkable impact came from was his sobriety, a journey he entered into on January 12, 1988. With his death, he completed his life-long goal of having lived the rest of his days sober and faithfully serving the God of his understanding.

Jerry Lee was preceded in death by his father, Carl Jerry Bogard, and by his grandparents, Julia Irene and Irvin Fitzgerald and William Carl and Gertrude Odell Bogard, who now welcome him home to glory. He is survived by his devoted mother, Sylvia Irene Bogard, who continues to be a source of strength and faith for her family. Jerry Lee is also survived by his loving siblings, Melissa Bogard, Cindy (Tim) Braunschweig, and Tommy Bogard, as well as his nieces, nephews, and family friends who will forever cherish his steady presence, laughter, and caring heart.

Jerry Lee’s proudest accomplishment and greatest joy was having been a father to his three children. He is survived by Erin (Steven) Rice and their children John, Jackson and Anna Claire; Kyle (Missy) Bogard; and Samuel Bogard. He never grew tired of describing and recounting stories of Erin’s fighting spirit, Kyle’s old soul or Samuel’s passion and intelligence; each having received part of their gifts from their incredible father. The endless love that Jerry Lee possessed for children would also extend onto a number of others that looked to him as their own father figure as well, including Donnie Brown who remains a faithful son to Jerry Lee in this hard time.

In his final chapter of life, Jerry Lee was blessed with the love and companionship of his wife Kayla Bogard-Wilson. Through their joining, he gained his son Liam Wilson who will carry forward with Jerry Lee’s love and a number of invaluable life lessons that he received from his stepfather.

A graveside service will be held for Jerry Lee Bogard at Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart, Arkansas on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, a celebration of Jerry Lee’s life will commence at the Stuttgart Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Victor’s Empowerment Center of Stuttgart at P.O. Box 988, Stuttgart, AR 72160 or a charity of personal choosing in Jerry Lee’s honor.

Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.