N.M. "Buck" Shell, II, 67, of Fort Smith, died December 21, 2010 in Fort Smith.

Buck began his career on the Arkansas River in 1969, as manager of the Pine Bluff Port. He moved to Fort Smith in 1970 to start the new Port of Fort Smith. He was made the Vice-president of Pine Bluff Warehouse Company in 1982, overseeing seven Ports in Arkansas. In 1996, he built Five Rivers Distribution, where he served as CEO. He was a member of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee, Past President of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Port Operators Association and the Inland River Port Terminals, Past Chairman of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Rodeo Parade Commission and the Fort Smith Water Resources Commission, Past City Director of Fort Smith, and past member of the Arkansas Sebastian County Sheriff's Department. Buck was a Veteran of the United States Army, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the First Baptist Church. He had a strong background in Industry and the Arkansas Waterways System, helping develop the Fort Smith and Van Buren, Arkansas area.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara J. Shell of Fort Smith; one daughter, Susan Pruitt of Fort Smith; one son, Marty Shell, III of Fort Smith; three sisters Patsy Johnson and Natalie Wilson both of Pine Bluff, AR and Gloria Wynn of Seattle, WA; and five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Avery, and Nathan Shell, IV and Denver and Hudson Pruitt.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter Lily Paige Pruitt.

Funeral Service was Friday, December 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the First Baptist Church of Fort Smith with burial in Roselawn Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Matt Cook, John Wilson, Mitch Carlton, Wendell Carruth, Vernon College, and Bill Newton.


Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith, Arkansas