Velma Magoon

Velma Magoon, 78 was born to farm immigrant families from west Europe, Germany (Koch) and France (Bouquot) that married with English settlers (Wallace) and was a pioneer at heart. Velma’s father’s name was changed from Koch to Sgt. Cook by the U.S. Army when he served in WWII. Velma enjoyed visiting First Baptist Church and Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents; Walter (Koch) & Nancy Bouquot Cook; her husband, George A. Magoon; one sister, Merrietta Hardister; grandparents, Mary Catherine Hanson Bouquot & Ramey Joseph Bouquot, Gotthelf Koch; aunts, Florance Bouquot Ledbetter Simonton, Blanche Bouquot Vanoy; one nephew, Stan Hardister and cousins, Patsy Hardister, Bill Bouquot Ledbetter. Survivors include her son, James Scott Withrow; her daughter, Debra (Darrel) Johnson; her grandchildren, Megan Johnson and Brittany Johnson; great grandchild, Rowan Whyte; nephews, Rod Hardister and Brent Hardister; grandniece, Samantha Hardister and Sierra Hardister; grandnephew, Graydyn Hardister; brother-in-law, J.C. Hardister; cousin, Mary Louise Bouquot-Ledbetter Walker and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews. She graduated from Lakeside school as Salutorian and played basketball. Velma worked for Dane Harris at the Vapors Casino as a table dealer until it closed in the early 1960’s. She moved to Lake Tahoe, Nevada and worked at the casino there as a table dealer. She was friends of many celebrities including the “Rat Pack” and stars of the Ponderosa. Velma started a travel agency that booked international guests through Hawaii where she met her husband, George A. Magoon. They lived on his private white sand beach and flew in his airplane. They moved to Dallas Texas and started DFW Tropical Plants. Velma sent her children to Baylor University and they became state and federal employees. Velma retired back home in Hot Springs, Arkansas invested in real estate and was loved and respected by her tenants and staff. Velma was awarded a Capital Citation in honor of the contributions made to this state and all citizens thereof in 1994 by Arkansas secretary of state Bill McCuen. Velma was certified HVACR at National Park college and earned two years of college. Velma was a certified nursing assistant and was owner/ licensed bail bonds. Velma served the community through nonprofits such as ADH board, QCC board, VCK Clinton Club, Salvation Army (30 +years) and Showman’s Women’s Auxiliary as secretary. She enjoyed selling tickets at the Garland county fair for Moore’s carnival rides. Memorial service will be held 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Hot Springs Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Shady Grove Cemetery

Velma Magoon

August 1, 1940 - June 15, 2019