Lee Howard Linzay Sr.

Lee Howard Linzay Sr., 85, of Springdale, died Friday, July 27, 2012, at his home. He was born Feb. 26, 1927, in Lecompte, La., to Lee Howard and Essie Pittman Linzay. Lee worked for Farm Bureau Insurance for 50 years, building one of the most successful agencies within the company, which operates in 10 states. He was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for over 30 years. He also had farming interests in Arkansas and Louisiana. He graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in vocational agriculture. He also earned CLU and ChFC degrees from American College in Bryan Meyer, Pa. He was a former member of the Big Island Hunting Club, Jonesboro Rotary Club, Gideons International and Elks Lodge. He was active in Jaycees, where he received the Outstanding Young Man Award in 1962. He also served as state president of the Arkansas Life Underwriters Association in 1976, and the Jonesboro School Board as president and chairman of the building committee that rebuilt the school system after the tornado of 1973. He helped develop the Craighead County Fair Association and served as the volunteer fair manager in the early years. He was involved in the Craighead Forest Lake Park and a board member of the City Water and Light. Lee was a member of Cross Church while living in Springdale. As a former member of Baptist churches in Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Lee served on fundraising committees, including chairing the committee to build the Mount Zion Baptist Camp in Walcott, Ark. Lee was a veteran serving in the Navy Medical Corps during WWII. During his life he had the opportunity to travel throughout the world, visiting 70 countries. He is survived by his wife, Alice (Willson) Linzay, of the home, whom he married July 5, 1951, in Alexandria, La.; four children, Lee Linzay Jr. of Fayetteville, Ark., Kathy Workman and husband, Brad, of Fayetteville, Ark., Nancy Schisler and husband, Lyndal, of Springdale, Ark., Gloria Croom and husband, Cliff, of Mountain Home, Ark.; one brother, Jack Linzay and wife, Martha, of Lecompte, La.; 11 grandchildren, Rachel Kilpatrick and husband, Denton, Julie Linzay, Walker Workman, Linzay Feilke and husband, Patrick, Jonathan Schisler and wife, Heather, James Schisler and wife, Jenny, Joel Schisler and wife, Shelby, Jordan Schisler, Jason Schisler, Ryan Croom, Alison Croom; three great-grandchildren, Zachary Schisler, Hailey Schisler, Madelyn Kilpatrick; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Cross Church Chapel in Springdale, with senior adult pastor Charlie Foster officiating. Interment will be at Pinnacle Memorial Gardens in Rogers, Ark. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at Cross Church Chapel in Springdale. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale; online guest book at www.heritageofnwa.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 8181, Springdale, AR 72766; or to Cross Church, 1709 Johnson Road, Springdale, AR 72762.