Jerry Ray Millspaugh

Jerry Ray Millspaugh, 84, of Charlotte, Arkansas passed away July 12, 2026 at Wood Lawn Heights Nursing Home. Jerry, better known to some as Colonel, was born July 9, 1942 in Batesville, Arkansas to Arvil and Mary Millspaugh. He was the youngest of eight children. In the song, “The Auctioneer” there is a part of a verse that reads, “There was a boy in Arkansas who wouldn’t listen to his ma when she told him he should go to school, he’d sneak away in the afternoon, take a little walk and pretty soon you’d find him at the local auction barn.” This was Jerry’s life. He was caught many times skipping class, but he could always be found at the sale barn on lower Main Street in Batesville.

Before becoming an auctioneer, one of his first jobs was working for K.W. Prickett at Prickett Packing Company alongside Winfred Harmon, who was like one of his brothers. Jerry joined the National Guard and went to basic training in Fort Polk, LA. With the idea of being an auctioneer still in his mind, he enrolled in the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City, Missouri and the rest is history. Along with auctioneering his next love was coon hunting and his dogs. He started Ozark Mountain Kennel in 1973; with the dogs he trained winning many awards. In 2023, Jerry had a stroke. He was not able to move as in the past, but that did not stop him. He spent his days talking to his friends on the phone, visiting with friends and family who stopped by, and watching Cattle Auctions on the TV. He was also still able to make it down the road to his church.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, J.B. Milligan (Jessie), Jack Millspaugh, Berle Millspaugh, and Jimmy Millspaugh; and three sisters, Wanda Sherrill (Joe), Merle Cristilli (Alex), and Patsy Long (Jimmy).

He is survived by a sister in law, Edith Millspaugh; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and his church family at the Charlotte Church of Christ.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Charlotte Church of Christ with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. until service time with Bro. Chuck Crow and Bro. Tommie Boles officiating. Burial will follow at the Hopewell Cemetery in Cord, Arkansas.

Arrangements are by Qualls Funeral Homes.

Pallbearers will be Eric Mohlke, Con Battles, Keith Lovell, Paul Dale Vaulner, Kenny Malone, and Dean Holman.

Honorary pallbearers are Brian Goff, Tim Davis, Dan Davis, Randy Davis, Bill Boles, Mike Nix, Tommy Tipton, George Sowell, Scott Lovelady, Royce Bradley, Randy Bradley, and Tony Cagle.

Memorials may be made to the Charlotte Church of Christ or the Watson Creek Veterinary Clinic.

The family extends a special thank you to the Health Care workers at Wood Lawn Heights Nursing Home and Caring Hands Hospice.