Mike Plunk

Benny Michael Plunk arrived in Finger, Tennessee on December 15, 1948, much to the delight of his parents, Arlus and Lillian Plunk, who raised him in that community.  He moved away not long after his graduation from Bethel Springs High School, taking the first step on what would become a most interesting path through life.

Entering military service in 1969, Mike, as he was known to everyone, served his country in the United States Army, then eventually moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he opened a pest control business.  Years later he sold the business so he could move to Savannah which was then followed by migration to La Panta, Arkansas.  While living there he worked for Memphis Sash and Door but also began his own bar-b-que business.  Not content with only serving those customers, he also opened Plunk Concessions, a mobile concession business that traveled throughout Arkansas.  As the years passed, he decided it was time for a change again.  Closing the bar-b-que business, he focused on concessions, moving back to Savannah in the process, where he remained until his death on Monday, April 10, 2023 at the age of 74. At the time he was busy preparing to order his funnel cake supplies for the upcoming concession season. The one constant in every move Mike made was a lady friend (not always the same one) that he was following. One of those, Diane Lyn Darden, was fortunate enough to tie him down in matrimony, a blissful state they enjoyed until her death on February 10, 2006.

Mike was a strong believer in the Lord, a big, tough man whose size and demeanor belied the tenderness of his heart and his generosity of spirit.  He would do anything he could for anyone, especially “his people” whom he loved unconditionally.  An avid hunter and fisherman, Mike could also build anything, a talent he exhibited when he built his cabin on the river with his own hands.  His family described him as a “true outlaw”—a very smart man who worked hard and played hard, some of his favorite pastimes being an afternoon drive, indulging in his afternoon beverage, or telling war stories to anyone who would listen. 

Mike leaves behind his daughters Tonya Self of Henderson, Tennessee and Jessica Vasquez of La Panta, Arkansas.  Other than his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Annette Smith.