Patrick Carithers

Patrick Carithers, 87, passed away in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. He was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Benny and Bernadette Carithers on November 11, 1930. He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1948. He was an accomplished athlete and played football, ran track, and later played on a semi-pro baseball team. He attended Magnolia A&M College (later Southern Arkansas University) and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He married Bettye Hall, his high school sweetheart, in North Little Rock on December 21, 1950. A devoted couple, they anticipated celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. Pat served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was a patriotic citizen and proud of his service. The oldest surviving editor of the Arkansas Gazette, he had an outstanding career as a journalist at the newspaper. He worked there for 40 years, with his last 30 years as the world news-wire editor and writer of the In The News column. He was admired and respected by his colleagues. He played an integral part in making the Arkansas Gazette a great newspaper while he worked there. Pat and Bettye were active in the central Arkansas running community. One of his proudest accomplishments was the completion of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. on his 58th birthday. He was an avid Razorback fan and enjoyed going to the football games. Pat is survived by his wife Bettye of Fayetteville; his daughter, Kelly Carithers and her husband Dr. Bill McGowan of Springdale; his son, Lindsey Carithers of North Little Rock; three grandchildren, Jenny Carithers Price and her husband B.R. Price of Springdale, Dr. Patrick McGowan and his wife Camryn of Cayce, South Carolina; and John Thomas McGowan of Springdale; and one great-grandson, William Patrick McGowan of Cayce, South Carolina; a niece and nephews and many friends. Despite his many successes and accomplishments, Pat never bragged about anything other than his family, particularly his three grandchildren with whom he shared very special relationships. He made lifelong friendships and never had a cross word with anyone. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Arkansas Veterans Home in Fayetteville for their compassionate care of Patrick. Pat was devoted to his family, his Catholic faith and his country. He was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale and had been an active member at St. Anne Catholic Church in North Little Rock before moving to Fayetteville. Memorials may be made in memory of Patrick Carithers to St. Anne Catholic Church in North Little Rock, St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale, or Washington Regional Medical Center Hospice. A family graveside service, with military honors, is planned at the Fayetteville National Cemetery on Friday, December 8, 2017 at noon. Online obituary and guest registry at SmithFamilyCares.com.