Arnold G. (Arnie) Sims, 65, of Piney died on October 23, 2005, at the
home of friends. He was born in Corona, CA to Gordon David Sims and
Virgie Erma Sims on September 27, 1940.
An accomplished flyer, he received his pilot's license and bought his
first airplane as a freshmen in college. He put himself through school
working at Lockheed Aerospace and was assigned as a mathematician on
the secret SR-71 "Blackbird" project. After graduating from UCLA with a
degree in art, he joined the United States Air Force where he completed
Officer's Training School and received his military pilot's wings in
October of 1966. During his five years in the Air Force he served three
tours of duty in Vietnam flying the F-4 fighter jet, B-52 bomber and
the OV-10 observation aircraft.
While flying as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) assigned to Rustic
Aviation in the "secret war" over Cambodia his plane was shot down by
enemy fire. He eluded communist forces for 23 days before he was able
to reach safety inside friendly lines.
Captain Sims, call sign "Rustic 2-0," was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service
Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Small Arms Expert
Marksmanship Ribbon.
After his military service Sims managed airports in Fitzgerald, Tifton,
and Douglas, GA and in Clarksville, AR. He was a corporate and charter
pilot. As a licensed flight instructor he taught many Johnson County
area residents the art of flying. A licensed aerobatic pilot he
delighted in fascinating onlookers with his ariel artistry in his
beloved Zlin airplane. For the past twenty years he has been the
printer for the University of the Ozarks where he developed and
designed their in-house printing program.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Inalee Hurt.
Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Gordena and Ron Bradley
of Hickory Flat, MS, two sons, Travis Coe and Trevor Coe, two nieces,
Kimberly Coe and Rochelle Hahn, a nephew, Terry Blythe, and his friends
and caregivers, Kerry and Ron Taylor.
A memorial service will be held at the Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel
on the campus of the University of the Ozarks at 11:00 A. M. on
Wednesday, Oct. 26. Memorials may be made to the University of the
Ozarks, Advancement Department, 415 North College Avenue, Clarksville,
AR 72830.
Bobby L. Goodin, 62, of Russellville, brother of Guy Goodin of Coal
Hill, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little
Rock.
He was a native of Oxnard, Calif., employee of Alcan Packaging in
Russellville, and son of the late Guy L. Goodin, and was preceded in
death by one brother, William (Billy Don) Goodin.
Other survivors include his mother, Leona M. Buffalo Goodin of
Russellville; five sisters, Lorinda Wise of Fort Worth, Texas, Phyllis
Lanoy Sloan of Russellville, Jessie Christine Goodin of Port Hueneme,
Calif., Clrissia Lickliter of Ozark, and Maria Earls of London; and
several nephews and nieces including Stephanie Walker of Dardanelle.
Herman Joseph Elser, 70, of Altus, father of Mitchell Elser of
Clarksville, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, in Ozark.
He was a native of Altus, son of the late Leo J. and Matilda Rofkahr
Elser, car hauler, and member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sue Forbus Elser; one daughter, Mary
Holsapple of Fayetteville; one other son, Mark Elser of Altus; one
brother, Johnny Elser of Altus; four grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
Rosary service was at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Shaffer Funeral
Home in Ozark.
Funeral mass was recited at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at St. Mary's
Catholic Church with Father Hilary Filiatreau, O.S.B., officiating.
Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Harold McFadden, Mark Bartlett, Danny and
Johnny Wayne Elser, Harold McFadden Jr., and Leonard Rofkahr Jr.
James Everett Crowder, 70, of Clarksville died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005,
at his home.
He was a mechanic at South Park Truck Stop, retired from the U. S. Air
Force, member of the Crossroads Assembly of God Church, son of the late
James Everett and Geraldine Stewart Crowder, and was preceded in death
by the mother of his children, Liz Crowder; one son, Jimmy Crowder; and
one brother, Tom Crowder.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Mills Crowder; four daughters, Sue
Curtis and husband, Gary, of Clarksville, Karen Baars and husband, Ray,
of Knoxville, Christa English of Clarksville and Raelyn Ramsey of
Altus; grandchildren, Gary Lee Curtis and wife, Delenah, Chris Curtis
and Audria, Danny Joe Curtis and Jill, Garrett Ramsey, Trevor Ramsey,
and Jayme, Ashley and Kayla Baars; and great-grandchildren, Hailey,
Skyleigh and Ashton Curtis.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Crossroads Assembly of
God Church with Rev. Morris Bozeman and Rev. Robert Willis officiating.
Burial with full military honors was at Lamar Cemetery under the
direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Don Mefford, Billy Joe Felkins, John Daniel,
John Wilson, Dean Hammons, and Jackie Daniel.
Honorary pallbearers were Gomer Jones, Joe Bill Russell, and Gary
Dickerson.
Margie Lee Lemons, 74, of Clarksville died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at
Johnson Regional Medical Center.
She was a member of Trinity Chapel Pentecostal Church of God, daughter
of the late John and Minnie Henderson Holland, and was preceded in
death by three brothers, Ottis, Carl and George Holland; and four
sisters, Ova Henderson, Thelma Taylor, Oma Carlton and Rhoda Strode.
She is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Sandy
Wood of Clarksville, Ernie and Lisa Wood, of Bois D'Arc, Mo., John
Wayne and Carol Wood of Clarksville, and Fred and Michele Wood and Paul
and Carrie Wood, all of Springdale; four sisters, Lorena Page of
Farmington, Ruth Norton of Morrow, Ardith Murr of Farmersville, La.,
and Audie Latta of Olathe, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; and 12
great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Trinity Chapel Pentecostal
Church of God with Rev. Terry Schlinker, Rev. Bob Freeman and Rev. Phil
Redding officiating.
Burial was in Mt. Vernon Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox
Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Clinton Holland, Carl Holland, Johnny Einert,
Billy John Page, Mitchell Taylor, Lyn Norton, Alvis Shelton, and Elzia
Carlton.
Grandsons served as honorary pallbearers.
Ruby Jean Mayhew, 59, of Texarkana, Texas, whose daughter and
son-in-law, Patricia and Frankie Tucker, reside in Clarksville, died
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005.
She was a native of Houston, Texas, former resident of Avery, Texas,
member of the Buchanan First Baptist Church, and was a teacher for the
Maud Independent School District where she was employed for 20-plus
years.
Other survivors include her husband, Dan Mayhew; one granddaughter,
Allison Marie Tucker of Clarksville; and mother-in-law, Evelyn Mayhew
of Texarkana, Texas.
She was a daughter of the late Virgil and Lois Karr, member of the City
Park Church of Christ, a police officer and dispatcher for the
Clarksville Police Department, and was preceded in death by one
brother, Joel D. Karr; and one sister-in-law, Shirley Platt.
Survivors include her husband, Ted Young; two daughters and
sons-in-law, Sandra Dawn and Donnie Anderson of Oklahoma and Barbara
Ann and Steve Frederick of Clarksville; three sons and two
daughters-in-law, Bobby Zane Stevens Jr. of Springdale, Mike and Debbie
Young of Jonesboro, and Greg and Robin Young of Conway; one sister and
brother-in-law, Kathleen (Cat) and Joe Johnson of Pettigrew; one
sister-in-law, Zelda Karr of Clarksville; and 16 grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Roller-Cox Chapel
with
Paul Bates and Keith Avaritt officiating. Burial will be in Oark
Cemetery.