Mr. Trent Bonner McCollum

Trent Bonner McCollum 1932-2025 Bonner McCollum, aged 92.5 years to the day, died Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Woodland Heights Memory Care in Little Rock, where he had been a vibrant and popular resident for the past year and a half. Bonner was born Dec. 15, 1932, the baby of four siblings, to Varnelle Bonner McCollum and Fred N. McCollum Sr., who owned and published the weekly Monroe County Sun in Clarendon. An important part of his life for many years and one of his main caregivers as a child was Mrs. Annie Burgess, affectionately known as “Dottoo” by young Bonner, and later his own children. In 1942, his father purchased the Daily Times-Herald at Forrest City, and the family moved. Bonner graduated from Forrest City High School, then attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, graduating in 1955. He then entered the U.S. Army, training at Fort Chaffee. Because he was the only man in his platoon who could type, he was spared being shipped to Korea, and instead was posted to lovely Sausalito, Calif., where he became the company clerk. Among his duties was running the movie projector and public address system, which later reminded his children of Radar O’Reilly on the television series M*A*S*H. It was there that he first saw mid-century split-level houses, built into the sides of the hills surrounding San Francisco, and made it his goal to build one on Crowley’s Ridge upon returning to Forrest City. After returning home, he joined his father at the Times-Herald. After his father’s death in 1963, he continued as publisher and in 1968 moved the operation into a modern new building on Izard Street, where it still is today. He was very proud to be the owner of the third newspaper in Arkansas to convert to the new “offset” method of publishing, with the purchase of a brand new printing press that same year. He continued over the years to modernize the paper’s printing methods, converting the paper to digital publishing as well. His pursuit of the newest and best methods was at times met with dismay by his staff, who were constantly having to learn new ways of doing things. Bonner was also an active part of his community, serving as Chamber of Commerce president, a member of the Forrest City Civic Center Commission, the Forrest City Housing Authority and the Forrest City Industrial Development Commission. He was a member of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was also a longtime member of the Forrest City Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Statewide, he was a member of the Arkansas Welfare Board, and a longtime member of the Arkansas Press Association. In 1960, Bonner married the late Edwene Stevens of Forrest City. They had three children, Weston McCollum Lewey and her husband Kevin, who survive him; Susan, who died in infancy; and Trent Bonner McCollum Jr., who was tragically killed in an auto accident at age 19. Also surviving him are his granddaughter, SaraCate Lewey Moery and husband Robert, and his beloved great-granddaughter and namesake, Mary Trent Moery. Throughout his life, he kept his faith and always had an optimistic outlook. He was a beloved father, and good friend to many. He enjoyed the game of golf immensely, even though he would admit that he wasn’t the best at it. He credited his long, mostly healthy life to playing golf as much as possible and going up and down the many stairs in his home, along with the love of a good dog. He was very social, and enjoyed getting to know all sorts of people, even after moving to Woodland Heights. A small service will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Stevens Funeral Home.

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Mr. Trent Bonner McCollum

December 15, 1932 - June 15, 2025