Guy Franklin Fenter

Guy Franklin Fenter, who resided in Charleston, Ark., passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at his home. He was born May 27, 1933, in Billstown, Ark. to the late Rupert Fenter and Lavern (Payne) Fenter. He was 83 years old. Guy had many accomplishments in this life, his legacy in education will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of those he touched and those that benefited from his work. Guy's education career started in Paris, Ark., in 1955 where he served as a High School English, Social Studies teacher and coach. It was there where he met the love of his life, then Shelby Gray. Guy and Shelby would move to Charleston in 1960. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1963 and served as a High School Principal and Superintendent from 1960 until 1983. During the 1980's and 1990's Fenter would play a significant role in helping legislators resolve issues with public school funding. Fenter sought a funding system that would provide a more equal basis of per-pupil funding. He was also instrumental in drafting legislation for the Education Cooperatives that exist today. His whole goal in pioneering this project was to assist the small school districts. He felt that school districts could do a much better job of working together for the betterment of students than they could individually. He was also instrumental in establishing the Western Arkansas Technical Center in 1998 on the campus of what is now known as UAFS- that is now recognized as a national model for concurrent credit technical education. Upon his retirement in June 2015, the Western Arkansas Education Cooperative was renamed the Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperate. His favorite story that he spoke of habitually summed up his whole reason behind everything he did for kids and all involved in education and his life. The tale is of a boy running up and down the beach feverishly hurling starfish back into the water before they died. An old man approached him, "Do you honestly think your work will make any difference?" he asked him skeptically. The boy looked at him with sparkling eyes, held up a starfish and said, "It means a difference to this one!" and threw the starfish back into the sea. Guy was fond of saying that "the right answer can always be found by asking what is best for our students." During his career, Guy served in various capacities including: President of Education Service Cooperatives of Arkansas 1985-1988; Member of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 1971-1978, Chairman 1978; President of Arkansas Activities Association Executive Committee 1976-1978; Member of Arkansas Activities Association Executive Committee 1966-1988; Member of Task Force for the Twenty-first Century Economy 2007-2009; Sunday School Teacher at Charleston United Methodist Church; President of Arkansas Association of School Administrators 1974; Citizen of the Year of Charleston Commercial Club 1966. Guy was an unapologetic Cardinals fan; an avid quail hunter and habitat restoration proponent; crappie fisherman; head of the Kat's Kitchen Liars Table; and founding President of Eager Anglers, Inc. A memorial service will be held at Charleston High School Gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 3 p.m., with speakers, Dr. Benny Gooden, Dr. Jim Bridges and Dr. Glen Fenter. A private burial at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston will precede the memorial service with Reverend Andrew Kjorlaug of First United Methodist Church officiating. All arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston. He is survived by his wife Shelby of 62 years; two daughters, Pam Widders and husband Pat of Alma and Ginger Fenter and husband Shane of Lake Ouachita; one son, Glen Fenter and wife Jody of Memphis, Tenn.; a sister, Marry Genell Porter of Joplin, Mo.; six grandchildren, Jerry Ed, Zack, Shelby Jo, and Gray Fenter of West Memphis, Ark., Garrett and Brock Widders of Alma and three great-grandchildren, Izzy, Beau and Cash Fenter of West Memphis, Ark. Pallbearers will be Jerry Ed. Fenter, Garrett Widders, Zack Fenter, Shelby Jo Fenter, Brock Widders, and Gray Fenter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guy and Shelby Fenter Endowment for Educational Excellence at Arkansas Community Foundation. 1400 W Markham #206, Little Rock, Ark. 72201. To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.