Bentonville Civic Leader John Shores Dies at 75

John Shores, a prominent civic leader and former business owner in Bentonville, died Sept. 20 in Fayetteville. He was 75.

Shores and his wife, Mary Kay, owned and operated Bentonville Furniture Inc. in downtown Bentonville for 40 years, according to his obituary. The store closed in May 2000 when Shores retired.

He was past president of the Arkansas Home Furnishings Association and was a 2011 Retail Inductee into the Arkansas Home Furnishings Association Hall of Fame.  

Shores founded the nonprofit Downtown Development Inc. in the late 1970s, and he continued to serve on the board until his death.

“John was a walking encyclopedia of Bentonville’s history,” said longtime Benton County bank executive Mark Mizelle. “More importantly, his humility is something that will not be forgotten.”

Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin said Shores will be missed as a friend, and as a source of information and wisdom.

“John witnessed Bentonville growing from a very small community to the thriving city we know today,” said McCaslin, who has served as mayor since 2006 after serving as an alderman for four years. “John not only supported growth and change, but embraced the vision for what Bentonville could become. He was instrumental in guiding development and assisted behind the scenes on many of the improvements seen around the downtown area.”

A funeral service through Stockdale Funeral Home of Rogers was held Sept. 24 at the First United Methodist Church in Bentonville with the Rev. Dr. Kurt Boggan officiating.