Arthur Dutton Obituary

Arthur Clay Dutton, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025, at his home in Independence, MO, after a journey with Parkinson's disease. He was born November 4, 1939 at Dutton, AR, to Emmett Melvin Dutton and Emma Mae Cornett Dutton and spent his early years growing up along the White River. After graduating from St Paul High School in St Paul, AR, Arthur moved to the Kansas City, MO area. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Fort Sill, OK, and worked on the Pershing Missile. Arthur served as First Elder of Hidden Valley Christian Union Church where he was a member for 55 years and also served as Sunday School teacher. He was a member of Oark Masonic Lodge and Independence Eastern Star. Arthur enjoyed spending time hiking and riding motorcycles around the Buffalo National River and South Madison County. And, he loved to sit by a camp fire anywhere. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Gayle (Booge) Haught; mother-in-law Audrey Haught; brothers – Melvin Dutton, Everett Dutton and Joe Dutton; sisters – Billie Gibson, June Dutton and Carolyn Dutton; brothers-in-law – Bobbie Gibson, Wayne Ayers and Arthur Haught; sister-in-law Christine Dutton. He is survived by his wife, Rheta Lea Haught Dutton, whom he married on June 3, 1961; a daughter, Mary Bryant and her husband, Dale, of Combs, AR; a son, David Dutton and his wife, Debbi, of Independence, MO; three grandsons, Jedediah Bryant and his wife, Whitney, of Siloam Springs, AR; Zachariah Bryant of Fayetteville, AR; Daniel Dutton of Independence, MO; a great-grandson, Jeramiah Bryant and great-granddaughter, Taryn Bryant, both of Siloam Springs, AR; a sister, Betty Ayers of Charleston, AR; sisters-in-law, Barbara Dutton of Belton, MO and Imogene Haught of Pettigrew, AR; and nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Chuck Stout, Dale Bryant, Jedediah Bryant, Zachariah Bryant, Jeramiah Bryant and Kenny Haught. Honorary Pallbearers are Curtis Romang, Paul Klein, Norman Dockins and Allan Zieber. The family will visit with friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00pm at Brashears Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 15 at 2:00pm at Brashears Funeral Home in Huntsville, AR, with Rev H.M. Shipp officiating. Interment will follow at Dutton Cemetery. Thanks to the team at One Community Hospice for their loving care of Arthur in his final days.