Dr. Bruce Gaston, age 66, of Hot Springs, Ark., died peacefully at home on Aug. 17, surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born to Jackson Gaston and Betty (Rout) Gaston. They were a military family which moved around several times before eventually settling in Hot Springs. Bruce graduated from Lakeside High School, and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University, his DDS from the University of Tennessee, and obtained his specialty in endodontics from the Georgia School of Medicine.

Bruce followed his father’s military service example and began his own military career in 1990 when he joined the U.S. Army Reserves while he attended dental school. Upon graduation, he transitioned to active duty and served his country as a dental officer for 11 years, then transitioned back to the Reserves for an additional nine years. He retired in 2010 at the rank of colonel after a distinguished career which included two overseas tours, two humanitarian missions to former Soviet countries, and a deployment to the Middle East during the Gulf War. His efforts in this deployment helped lead the first reserve dental unit ever deployed into combat, and he was awarded the Bronze Star.

When he left active duty service, Bruce chose to establish his dental practice back in Hot Springs to be near family and friends and to give back to the community which meant so much to him. He loved people, never met a stranger and enjoyed a good conversation. He was also an avid golfer and gin player.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lenora (Partain) Gaston, and their two sons, Bret Gaston and Grant Gaston, both of Hot Springs, and their daughter, Logan Gaston, also of Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as one sister, Diana Lynn Ward (Earl) of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and two brothers, Patrick Gaston of Los Angeles, Calif., and David Gaston of Oklahoma City, Okla. He is survived by six additional siblings: Jackson Gaston Jr. (Beverly) of Jessieville, Ark., Kerrie Gaston of Hot Springs, Anthony Gaston of Bellechester, Minn., Michael Gaston (Carol) of Oklahoma City, Okla., Elizabeth Naven (Don) of Pekin, Ill., and Lisa Holland (Brian) of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; as well as many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of Bruce’s life at 3 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Cold Springs Events, 9578 Kanis Road, Paron, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 56, Hot Springs, AR 71902 for the Bruce Gaston Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Guests may register at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.

On the afternoon of August 15, 2023 Dr. Michael (Mike) V Liggett left this earth surrounded by his family at UAMS and was greeted in Heaven by his mom, dad and all his family and friends who got there first.

Mike was born in Wichita, KS but spent most of his life in Fort Smith, graduating from Northside High School in 1966. His higher education continued at Westark and then the University of Arkansas until he was accepted to the University of Tennessee Dental School after only 2 years of college. He finished his college degree while attending dental school-one would have been hard enough but Mike did both, while flying home every weekend to play in his band The Off Beats, so he’d have enough spending money for the week.

When he graduated from dental school he went into practice with Dr Ed Dooley in 1972. After Dr Dooley retired Mike bought the practice and remained until 1987 when his dream of building his own office was a reality and Parklane Family Dental was established. He then expanded and added another office at Central Mall. With the expansion of NW Arkansas he saw a need for Parklane to have an office in Rogers and just recently finished another NW Arkansas office in Springdale. In 2004, his nephew Charles (Charlie) graduated from LSU Dental School and went to work at Parklane. Another added bonus for Mike was to have his son Kristopher (Kris) join the group in 2007 after graduating from Baylor Dental School and it really became “Parklane Family Dental”. Mike was a member of American Academy of General Dentistry and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

As busy as Mike always was, he was lucky enough to work-in a patient one day who had a problem wisdom tooth. That patient was Judi. They fell in love and continued their journey together for 47 years adding Michael, Kris, Lauren and then Jorge. The happiest time of his life was when he became
“GDad”.

Mike loved music.he played his way through school and giving guitar lessons to lots of kids. He also loved art and was quite an artist himself.

If you knew Mike, you were among the lucky. He never met a stranger and always had a kind word for everyone, especially the underdog. He was the best son, big brother, husband, Dad, GDad and friend.
We all will miss him every day but are assured we will see him again.
Mike is survived by his wife, Judi, his son Michael (Katharine), son Kris (Bo) daughter Lauren (JR) and son Jorge (Julissa) and those precious ones who call him GDad, Finley, Stratton, Lemon, Melanie, Jorgie and Aislinn. He is also survived by his brother Chuck (Kathy) nephews Charlie (Heather) Travis (Deanna) great nieces Emery and Piper and cousin Jackie Domecq. Additional close friends Wade and Gena Walker and Jackie Barker.

Memorial contributions to Mike’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.