Joseph Legg

Joseph (Joe) Legg, age 94, of Rogers died Nov. 7, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice House, Bentonville, Ark. Joe was born Oct. 16, 1920, Honey Island, Texas, to parents Jim and Florence McLain Legg. Most of his childhood was spent near Cave Springs, Ark. He graduated from Bentonville High School in 1939 as valedictorian. In 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was trained as an aviator machinist. In 1941, he became a member of the Flight Deck Crew of the USS Enterprise. The ship and her crew were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation during WWII. Sept. 11, 1944, Joe married Effie Plumlee. They were married for over 66 years prior to her death in 2011. In 1946, he left the U.S. Navy as an aviation chief machinist mate and entered the College of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he received his BSA degree with honors in 1950. With the aid of a research assistantship in 1951, Joe obtained an MS degree in agronomy followed by employment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Department at Beltsville, Md. While at the Research Center, he earned his PhD from the University of Maryland in 1957. During his time in Maryland, he initiated the study of nitrogen in soil/plant relationships. While with USDA, he went to the former Soviet Union and Africa to share his studies with scientists in those countries. Upon retiring, Joe and Effie moved back to Rogers and were active members of First Baptist Church in Rogers. Part of his retirement was spent teaching at the U of A, Fayetteville, but his passion was his garden, and producing beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables. He also served as a volunteer for the Circle of Life Hospice for many years and tended to the Rose Garden in Springdale. After Effie's death, he moved to Innisfree and quickly took on the role of gardener, tending to their rose bushes. He was privileged to go on the Honor Flight to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2013. He was so very proud to be a part of the University of Arkansas...in his honor we simply say: "GO HOGS!" Joe is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters, James Legg, Florence Legg McLain, Jimmie Dean, Thelma Conrad, Vernon Legg, Murf Legg and Lewis Legg. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; his brother-in-law, Kenneth Plumlee of Rogers; and his sister-in-law, Joan Legg of Springdale. He is also survived by his adopted family and friends at Innisfree in Rogers. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Dr. and Mrs. J.O. Legg Scholarship Fund, c/o The University of Arkansas, 1002 West Maple, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Funeral services are set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at the Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Benton County Memorial Park, with full military honors. Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3800 W. Walnut, Rogers, AR 72757.