Max "M.J." John Probst

Max John "M.J." Probst, of Washington, D.C., passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012, at age 71. Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 30, at Ebenezer Cemetery, near Kosse, Texas. M.J. was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Paul and Margaret (Lieb) Probst. He graduated from high school there in 1957; earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in 1961, and followed that with a law degree in 1964. While in Arkansas, M.J. married Sydney Slack, and their daughter Peggy was born there. The family moved to Washington, D.C. after graduation from law school, where he was employed with the Internal Revenue Service, and later with Senator John McLellan. Their son Jason was born while in Washington. In 1968, the family moved back to Pine Bluff, where M.J. practiced law as a criminal defense attorney. After another move back to Washington, D.C. in 1988, he pursued other business and consulting endeavors. M. J. was united in marriage later with Arleen Ryan in Washington, where they made their home the rest of his life. Travel, especially to the beaches of the Caribbean with the sun and ocean, spending time with his children, and time with the many different dogs that he loved, as well as being a lifelong voracious reader, were his interests outside of his career. He was loyal to his sports teams, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Washington Redskins and Nationals. He is survived by his wife, Arleen Probst of Washington, D.C.; daughter, Peggy Probst of Fayetteville, Arkansas; son, Jason Probst and his wife Jacqueline and children, Charles, Vincent and Catherine Probst of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy and Lyndon Phelps of Kosse, TX and Paula and Bill Stanley of Kosse, Texas and their sons, Minor and Pat Stanley.