Joseph Sanford "Sandy" Boone, a man credited by many for building Springdale, died Thursday at 93.
Boone was born Feb. 15, 1923, in Springdale, the son of Percy Wyland "Doc" and Harriet Ewalt Boone. He was married to the former Juanita Ledbetter on Nov. 19, 1947.
He had two daughters, Koni Powers and husband, the late Richard Powers, and Sandye Graham and husband, James; three grandchildren, Justin Power, Preston Power and Heather Graham Leclerc; and great-grandchildren, Samantha Power, Benjamin Power, Ezrah Power, Evan Power, Amaya Power and Leo Leclerc.
Boone was a 1941 graduate of Springdale High School and attended the University of Arkansas from 1941 to 1942 and 1946 to 1947. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and served as the only drummer in the UA band. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1946.
Boone loved his hometown, said his wife of 68 years. "His businesses were all on Emma Avenue or Spring Street," she said. "He was proud of the town. He wanted everybody to know about it. He wanted everybody to be successful."
Those businesses included Sandy's Men's Store from 1947 to 1949, the Hitchin' Post Restaurant from 1951 to 1953, the Boone-Ritter Insurance Agency, founded in 1967, and Original Homes, founded in 1959, listed his daughter Graham. "He was a major builder of homes in Northwest Arkansas," said Walter Turnbow, a fellow Springdale businessman and longtime friend of Boone. "He built some of our better houses."
"He always wanted to build good, solid homes," said Sandye Graham, Boone's daughter. "He said you could add the 'gingerbread' later."
Urban renewal came to Springdale in the early 1970s, and Boone took out an entire block of buildings to build San Jose Manor, an office complex still in use on Emma Avenue, Turnbow said. "He really improved downtown Springdale."
Boone also built Shiloh Square, one of the highlights of the current effort to revitalize downtown Springdale, said Turnbow, for whom the park surrounding Shiloh Square is named.
"He should be remembered for his service to the Chamber of Commerce," Turnbow said. "He donated an awful lot of time to chamber activities. He was a past president (1973) and was even given its Citizen of the Year award (1975)."
Boone also served on the Springdale Planning Commission (1954; 1961-1975), the First State Bank board (1973-1988) and the founding board of Springdale Memorial Hospital (1974-1998). He was a member and past president of the Springdale Noon Kiwanis (1947 until his death), the Jaycees (mid-1940s), the Springdale Downtowners, the Foothills of the Ozarks Antique Car Club (earning a 25-year award in 2003) and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was presented with the Mayor's Recognition for a Lifetime of Community Service in 2005.
"He was concerned with the progressiveness of our community," said Delores Stamps, a longtime Springdale businesswoman who also worked with Boone through the Kiwanis Club.
When Boone couldn't be found in downtown Springdale, however, he could be found on the back of a horse. "Horses were one of his main interests," said Juanita Boone. "He said he got his first pony when he was 6 years old, and he used to ride it to school."
Boone had a particular affection for paint horses and co-founded the American Paint Horse Association in 1962, earning a lifetime membership award from this still-operating group in 1982. He was a member of the Springdale Riding Club (from the 1940s), served on the Rodeo of the Ozarks board (1947-1987), co-founded the Springdale Mounted Patrol (1950s-1960s) and served on the Miss Rodeo America pageant's board (1972-1987), as president (1979-1981) and brought the pageant's headquarters to Springdale.
"Mom always knew where we were, and that was out riding horses," Graham said.
"And I always knew where he was because he was usually with them," Juanita Boone agreed.
"He had knowledge about many varied things -- history and horses and rodeo and buildings and decorating ...," said Stamps, who, with her husband Truman, decorated about 50 of Boone's houses. "He was always willing to help another businessperson with information and advice. He was an encourager."
Those who knew Boone will also remember him for his jokes. "He loved telling jokes," Graham said. "He wanted to be the center of attention."
"He always told them in mixed crowds, and everyone laughed," reminisced Turnbow, who shared 60-plus years of friendship with Boone.
Arrangements for Boone's funeral services will be through Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale.
NW News on 04/01/2016