Obituaries

Searcy W. Harrell Jr.

Photo of Searcy W. Harrell Jr.
Searcy W. Harrell Jr., 72, of Camden, Ark. passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. Searcy was an avid golfer, scuba diver and private pilot and loved to travel. He was a member of Saint Mark's United Methodist Church in Camden. Searcy was a graduate of the University of Arkansas (1962) and the University of Arkansas School of Law (1964) and was named Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Arkansas Law School in 1988. He practiced law in Prescott early in his career and for the last 42 years was in private practice in Camden, Ark. He represented International Paper Company and Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation for over 30 years and served as attorney for Camden Airport Commission for over 40 years. He served as Circuit Judge for the 13th Judicial District from November 2011 until Dec. 31, 2012. He also served on the Supreme Court of Arkansas Office of Professional Conduct. Searcy had varied business interests, particularly in the banking industry. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of Worthen National Bank of Camden and First Community Banking Corporation. He was currently chairman and previously president and CEO of First Bank, which was chartered out of Hampton, Ark. He also was a past president of the Boys and Girls Club of Camden, Kiwanis Club of Camden, current president of Camden Country Club and a member of the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development from 2007-2011. He was a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, an organization active in arranging free air transportation in response to health care and other compelling human needs. Searcy was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Harrell and his parents, Edith and Searcy Harrell Sr. of Hampton, Ark. He is survived by three sons, Steve Harrell and wife, Loni of Springfield, Mo., Jon Harrell and wife, Sheila and Ben Harrell and wife, Julie all of Rogers, Ark.; a daughter, Shannon Harrell Beard and husband, Tony of McKinney, Texas; a stepdaughter, Roxanne Nevels Powell and husband, Tony of Camden, Ark.; sister, Jan Harrell Strickland, and husband, Phillip of Sandestin, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Christopher Harrell, age 13, Ryan Harrell, age 12, Carter Harrell, age 10, Tyler Harrell, age 4, Max Harrell age 18, Mackenzie Harrell, age 14, Jack Harrell, age 6, Jett Harrell, age 3, Bridgette Beard, age 16, and Brooke Beard, age 14, Kristi Canada, age 28, and Melanie Canada, age 27; and one great-grandchild, Micah Kidd, age 6. Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Proctor Funeral Home in Camden. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10-11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be made to the Ouachita County Community Foundation for the Ouachita County Boys and Girls Club Endowment Fund, 308 Washington St., Camden, Ark. 71701. To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.

Published November 4, 2013

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