Dr. John P Bethell Jr.

Dr. John P. Bethell Jr. entered the heavenly gates on November 2, 2023. He was born to John P. Bethell Sr. and Eloise Dailey Bethell in Des Arc on June 1, 1933.

John developed a good work ethic as a young man when he and his brother, Bob, mowed yards and delivered papers through their high school years. John decided he wanted to become a doctor in the sixth grade, and he worked diligently toward that goal. Becoming his high school valedictorian was a major step toward achieving his dream. He was president of the Beta Club, editor of the yearbook and he served as a page in the House of Representatives when his father was Speaker of the House.

He attended the University of Arkansas for two years where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He graduated from Rhodes in 1955 and entered U of A school of Medicine where he studied internal medicine. From 1959-1960, he did a straight medicine internship. From 1960-1963, he did three years of internal medicine. From 1963-1964, he did OB service a UAMS. After twelve years of family practice, he joined Baptist Health where he served as an ER doctor for 42 years. John found his calling when he became a doctor; the only thing he loved more than medicine was his family.

He was a member of the Academy of Emergency Medicine, the AMA, and Immanuel Baptist Church. His special interests were hunting, gun collecting, scuba diving, and snow skiing. He had fond memories of taking his children on many diving and skiing adventures. He also loved spending time with his family at their farm in Des Arc.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bobby and Clyde, and one step-son, Rick Zimmerman (Jo).

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann; his sister, Ann Guess (Donald); his sons, Clay (Cara), John Bryan, and John P. III (Jen); his daughter Elizabeth Jones (Lee); a stepson, Phil Zimmerman (Tina); sixteen grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place 1:00pm November 6th at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N Shackleford Rd, Little Rock, with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 2:00pm.