Obituaries

Monte Jerome Staha

Photo of Monte Jerome Staha
Monte Jerome Staha, 76, of Gravette, Arkansas, passed away Friday, June 10, 2016. Mr. Staha was born May 23, 1940, in Hallettsville, Texas, to Jerry and Frances Kovar Staha. Monte was an honor graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Hallettsville, Texas. He was an All-State high school running back. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in pharmacy after turning down a football scholarship offer from Texas A&M. He married Naomi Ann Hrncir, also from Hallettsville, on June 2, 1962. After graduating from UT, he worked as a pharmacist at the University of Texas Medical Center in Galveston. Monte and Ann moved to Arkansas in 1964 to pursue higher education at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. In 1966, a business opportunity with Dunhall Pharmaceuticals, Inc. relocated the family to Gravette, Arkansas. Dunhall Pharmaceuticals later became Omnii International, Inc. and Monte served as president and CEO for over thirty years. Monte and Ann raised their family in northwest Arkansas and he built several successful businesses in pharmaceuticals, ranching, aviation, retailing, and manufacturing. He was active in the communities of Gravette, Siloam Springs, and Bella Vista as well as the Catholic parish communities of Nativity of Our Lord, Noel, Missouri, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bella Vista. Hawaii, Beaver Lake, and south Texas were frequent family excursions where wonderful lifetime memories were made and are now cherished. Monte J. was a man gifted with a brilliant mind, generous heart, serving spirit and a work ethic like no other. He was a devoted father, husband and friend. His loyalty was limitless. He loved football (and most sports), competition, culture, travel and music. As a parishioner of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Monte served in many church ministries. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as an officer, and a participant in numerous charitable activities. His retirement years were spent ranching, gardening, working outdoors, traveling (especially to the Czech Republic), studying, being a grandfather, and serving as a constant cheerleader for his family. He lived in Arkansas for over fifty years, loved his life in NWA and lived it to the fullest. However, as in the case of most native Texans, the great state of Texas never left his soul. He is survived by his wife, Ann and three children; Kimberley Wary (John) of Rogers, Kandice Crespo (Tom) of Dallas, and Derek Staha (Jennifer) of Houston. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Megan Wary (Denver, Colo.), Nickolas Wary (Fayetteville, Ark.), Zackary Wary (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Alex and Christopher Crespo (Dallas, Texas), Madison Staha (Houston, Texas) and his brother, Ron (Mariette) Staha (Hallettsville, Texas). He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Frances Staha (Hallettsville, Texas), brother, Richard Staha (El Campo, Texas) and grandson Max Crespo (Dallas, Texas). He will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, extended family and church family members. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Bella Vista, Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 10 a.m. with the Holy Rosary preceding the Mass at 9:30 a.m. Private internment will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 9514 Scholarship Fund or St. Bernard's Youth Education Fund (1 St. Bernard Lane, Bella Vista, Ark. 72715) or Arkansas Right to Life (1515 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204). Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published June 14, 2016

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