Obituaries

Bailey Davis Harold

Photo of Bailey Davis Harold
Bailey Davis "Wes" Harold, 81, of Rogers died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20, 2014, at home under the care of Circle of Life Hospice. Wes was born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 30, 1933, the youngest of five children to John Wesley and Aline (Puckett) Harold. Wes's long and storied life included a semi-pro hockey career at the age of 17 with the Louisville Blades. At age 18, he joined the United States Marine Corps and became a special forces K Team sniper operating covertly in the jungles of Central and South America. He also played football for the East Coast Marine team and was a proud Marine, serving until 1955. In 1961, he came to Springdale as a plant engineer to build the Ralston Purina plant. He later sold insurance for Paul Revere Insurance Co. He loved fishing and was a pioneer on the Bass Pro Tour, and was the first president and founder of the Arkansas Bassmasters. Later, he became a homebuilder and developer, and won an award from the National Association of Home Builders for Blueberry Acres subdivision in Springdale, as well as an award from Secretary of Housing, Jack Kemp, for his innovation in affordable housing and energy efficiency. Wes's contributions and involvement in the community were numerous. He was the president of the Springdale Jaycees, winning the award for Outstanding Jaycee for the State of Arkansas. He loved working with children and coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and Peewee football; he gave seminars for "Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs;" he won the Springdale Volunteer of the Year award; and, was loved by many when he would play Santa for families and groups for 50 years. One of his loves was photography and he was appointed the state photographer for the filming of The Blue and The Grey. He was able to combine his love of photography with his other great love, the Razorbacks. As one of the biggest Hog fans, he raised thousands of dollars for the Razorback Foundation for his aerial photos of Razorback athletic facilities and events, as well as portraits of personnel. He was especially proud of his portraits of Frank Broyles and Nolan Richardson. Wes was predeceased in death by his parents and four older siblings. Wes is survived by his wife, Betsey Robinson-Harold; his son, Wesley Neil Harold; stepson, Col. John McCurdy, USAF, and his wife, Georgia, of Colorado Springs; and stepdaughter, Lainie Hines and Paul Ferguson of Centerton; his grandchildren, Will and Daniel Hines, and Lizzie and Luke McCurdy; and a host of extended family, including his church family at Bland Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his name to Bland Chapel United Methodist Church, 8531 Twin Coves Road, Rogers, Ark; or Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, Ark. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at Bland Chapel United Methodist Church at Rocky Branch in Rogers. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

Published September 24, 2014

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