Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Frank Lynn Whitbeck
Frank Lynn Whitbeck, Life Insurance Executive, Civic Leader and Educator, died 
in Little Rock Friday, May 31, 2002.
Whitbeck was founder of American Foundation Life Insurance Company and its predecessor Pioneer Western Life Insurance Company of Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1955.
His accomplishments in business, professional, civic and public life were numerous.
He inspired many prominent Arkansans to achieve their best in business, professional and political life.
Whitbeck's success as a life insurance executive was contagious.
He attracted local insurance professionals to join him in building a publicly owned life insurance company based in Little Rock.
By the time of his retirement in 1979 American Foundation Life was doing business in 18 States and West Germany with over 5000 shareholders.
He was also a founder of First American National Bank in North Little Rock.
Whitbeck's civic contributions were also very important to the growth of Arkansas.
In 1963 he was spokesman for the Arkansas Economic Expansion Study Commission, which defined the political agenda for Arkansas State Government for the modern era.
Issues such as school district consolidation and incentives to attract new industry to Arkansas are still headline items 40 years later.
Whitbeck ran for governor of Arkansas in 1968 but in his words, " I was told by the electorate to stay in business."
Nevertheless he helped define and modernize Arkansas politics for years to come.
He later became a chairman of the Arkansas Public Building Authority in 1973, Little Rock Water Commissioner from 1972-1980, and chaired numerous charitable causes including the United Way of Pulaski County, YMCA of Greater Little Rock, the Boy Scouts of America and many others. Whitbeck served in World War II becoming a "90 day wonder" going from an Army Private to a Second Lieutenant within 90 days of enlisting at Camp Robinson. He was assigned to transport troops to the front in Europe and the Pacific.
He crossed the Atlantic Ocean over 30 times in wartime.
When his ship would arrive in New York City or San Francisco his wife Beverly would meet him to welcome him home.
Following his insurance and civic careers Whitbeck became an Executive in Residence at the University of Arkansas.
He established the Whitbeck Beyer Chair of Financial Services, the first endowed chair of the school.
He also established the Edward L. Whitbeck Award to the top graduating senior at UALR to honor his son who died in 1965.
The 37th Edward L. Whitbeck Award winner this year was Georgia Miller of Little Rock.
In 2001 Whitbeck received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UALR.
Whitbeck's education included the graduation from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma University at Norman, Honorary J.D., Class of 1943 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, Builders Award 1986, and Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, 1983 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
His civic activities also included First Chairman of the Arkansas State Council on Economic Education, Past President of Rotary Club 99, 1991-92, member of the Arkansas Bar Association and Foundation, Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, 33 degree Scottish Rites Mason, Scimitar Shrine, Honorary Lifetime Fellow of the Harry S. Truman Library, board of directors of American Council of Life Insurance, Washington, D.C., Life Insurance Management and Research Association, Hartford, Connecticut.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly Robinson Butterfield Whitbeck of Little Rock.
They were married
on December 26, 1938 at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The church was heavily damaged by the Murray Federal Building bombing and Frank and Beverly helped lead a campaign to restore the Cathedral to its original grace.
An exemplary Episcopalian, Whitbeck served as Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at the time the Cathedral School of Little Rock was started.
Whitbeck is also survived by his son Frank B. Whitbeck and wife Lisa of Little Rock, one sister Helen Rose Prendergast of Atlanta, Georgia, and 4 grandchildren; Richard Wallace Whitbeck, Jackson Forbes Whitbeck, Elisabeth Butterfield Whitbeck and Selby Roland Whitbeck.
There will be a funeral service Monday at 11 A.M. at Christ Episcopal Church officiated by The Reverend Ewing Jackson.
Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the Whitbeck Beyer Chair of Financial Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Bill Lewis Watkins
Bill Lewis Watkins, age 76, of Little Rock, died Sunday, May 13, 2002. He was born
in Whiteright, Texas later living in Sulfur Springs, Texas where he graduated from high school. After one year of college at North Texas State University he joined the U.S. Navy. After the war he returned to North Texas State receiving his Masters degree in Micro Biology. He became the Professor of Biology at North Texas State before becoming a Micro Biologist with the Department of The Army at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, from 1957 to 1974. Following retirement he and his wife Marilyn lived in Fairfield Bay, before moving to Little Rock. Bill was a member of Pulaski Heights Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Marilyn Smith Watkins of Little Rock, two daughters Shelia Gayle Stauffer and husband Dale of Pine Bluff, Karen Elaine Kazee of Little Rock, one step-daughter Lynda Gail Horn of Russellville, 3 grandchildren Haley Walker, Jason Stauffer, Geoffrey Horn, and is predeceased by a son Allen Lewis Watkins who died in 1971.
There will be a visitation Tuesday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed Wednesday by a memorial service at 2 P.M. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend Victor Nixon, Reverend Wayne Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to "One To The Other Ministries" Post Office Box 1306, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas 72088, or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.
Eunice Grimmett Vines
Eunice Grimmett Vines, of Southlake, Texas died Sunday, August 11, 2002.
She is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Moore of Southlake.
A Graveside service will be Tuesday at 2 P.M. at Cold Springs Cemetery, Ferndale.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Thorp Stockton Thomas
Thorp Stockton Thomas of Little Rock, died Saturday, September 17, 2011, two days after his eighty-eighth birthday. He was born
in Alexander, Arkansas, on September 15, 1923, to Howard Norman Thomas and Letitia Helen Miller Thomas. He was delivered at home by his future grandfather-in-law, Dr. W.W. Ward. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Kermit Toombs Thomas; brother, Norman Thomas, and sister, Barbara Pengelly.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Marie Underwood Thomas; daughters, Vicki Draper and husband, Charles of Little Rock, Mauri Douglass and husband, Lee of North Little Rock, Debbi Boye and husband, Lee of St. Charles, Illinois; sons, Thorp Thomas, Jr. and wife, Pam of Orlando, Florida and Terry Thomas of Searcy. He is also survived by ten grandchildren who affectionately called him “Papa T”: Jason Hays and wife, Melissa of Mayflower, Mindi Draper Alley and husband, Justin of Little Rock, Keri Douglass Walker and husband, Howard of North Little Rock, Jay Douglass and Sam Douglass of North Little Rock, Bradley Boye and Caroline Boye of St. Charles, Illinois, Blair Thomas of Orlando, Florida and Christopher Thomas and Logan Thomas of Searcy. He was blessed by three great-grandchildren as well: Haven and Addison Alley, and Owen Walker.
Family history was of great importance to Mr. Thomas. He grew up on Midland Farm in Saline County. He often told people that it was the geographic center of the state. Midland Farm was started by his great-grandfather, William S. Thomas, who moved to Arkansas in 1876 with his wife, Sarah Thorp, and son, Charles Thorp Thomas. William S. Thomas was a geologist from New York who was hired by Missouri Pacific Railroad to conduct geological surveys of the state’s mineral wealth. The maternal grandmother of Mr. Thomas was Adelia Stockton, the niece of the founder of Stockton, California.
Mr. Thomas graduated from Little Rock Junior College in 1945. In 1950, he received his LLB from the University of Arkansas. He was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 1951. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. From 1950 through 1953, he worked for the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York. In 1953, he became and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arkansas during which time he argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court. He made an unsuccessful run for Arkansas Attorney General in 1962. In 1963, he left the Attorney General’s Office to begin a private practice in which he continued until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, the American Bar Association, and the Arkansas Bar Association. He was a former Chairman of the Alexander Planning Commission, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner.
Visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Lynn Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Charles Draper, Lee Douglass, Jay Douglass, Sam Douglass, Jason Hays, and Bradley Boye. Memorials may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home
Victoria Shanko Hausch
Victoria Shanko Hausch, better known as “Vicki”, 85, passed away peacefully, to be with her beloved Lord, on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Paul Shanko and Allen Hausch.
Vicki called the Virgin Islands home, having lived there many years and enjoyed being employed by Cardow Jewlers and all her many dear friends she made there. She enjoyed adventurous and extensive travel which included living on a 40 foot sailing yacht “Thanwy”, traveling throughout the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic Ocean.
Vicki will always be remembered for her kind and loving nature, thoroughly enjoying all the times she spent with her family and friends, her love of God that she has passed on to all and most of all she will always be remembered as, “a very classy lady.”
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Jim Jackson, of Little Rock and her son, Steven Shanko of Florida; grandchildren, Barbara West and husband, Scott, of Fort Worth, TX, Julie Jackson of Del Rio, TX, Robert Jackson and wife, Annalee of Little Rock, AR and Jason Shanko of Florida; sister, Dorothy Lombardo of New Jersey and a host nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Friday, September 16, 2011 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Larry Dale Vanderpool
Larry Dale Vanderpool, 56, of Little Rock, a Master Plumber and supervisor of plumbing for the Little Rock School District, died Wednesday, October 23, 2002. He was born
in Viola, Arkansas where he graduated from high school. After school he served in the U.S. Army. He began his plumbing career in 1975 receiving his Masters license in 1977. Larry loved playing his guitar, as well as building them. He loved his family and friends and was one who never met a stranger.
Larry is survived by his wife Paula Wilson Vanderpool of Little Rock, 3 sons, Kenny Vanderpool and wife Kris of Charlotte, North Carolina, Andy Barker of St. Louis, Missouri, Michael Vanderpool and wife Sylvia of Lillington, North Carolina, 2 daughters, Wendy Ramsey and husband Hall of Little Rock, Gereline Vanderpool of Little Rock, 5 brothers, Donald R., Alfred L., Gerald W. Vanderpool all of Little Rock, Jimmy B. Vanderpool of Oakgrove, Missouri, Joseph O. Vanderpool of Greenville, Kentucky, and 5 grandchildren, Joshua, Joseph, and Summer Lynn Vanderpool, Caitlin Sarah Ramsey and Andrew Steven Barker.
There will be a visitation Friday from 5 to 7 P. M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home, followed Saturday with a funeral service at the funeral home chapel at 2 P.M. officiated by Reverend Michael Barnes. Burial of cremains will follow at St. Marks Garden. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the American Heart Association.
Jerry B. Stanford
Jerry B. Stanford, age 56, of Roland, Arkansas, died Wednesday, September 18, 2002. He was born
in Cameron, Texas the son of Dewitt Carter Stanford and wife Reba Burnett Stanford of Cameron, Texas. Jerry graduated from Beaumont, Texas high school before attending Texas A. & M. College on a football scholarship. After school he worked for the Beaumont Fire Department and trained quarter horses. In 1986 he moved to Malvern, Arkansas where he continued his love of horse training. Five years later he married
Linda Bell Stanford moving to Roland, Arkansas. Jerry was a life-time member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and National Snaffle Bit Association.
He is survived by his parents as listed above and his wife Linda Bell Stanford of Roland, one step-son Ray Bell and wife Carrie of Little Rock, one step-daughter Hollie Anderson and husband Scott of Maumelle, two brothers Charles Stanford and wife Drew of Pecos, Texas, Kenneth Stanford of Cameron, Texas, one sister Martha Bruce and husband Joe of Beaumont, Texas, and five grandchildren; Candler, Michael Ray, Hayden, Tyler and Caroline.
There will be a visitation Friday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed by a funeral service Saturday at 11 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church officiated by Reverend Howard Gordon. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the American Quarter Horse Youth Association, P.O. Box 200, Amarillo, Texas 79107.
George Craig Simpson
George Craig Simpson, age 60, of Little Rock, went to be with our Lord, Tuesday, October 8, 2002. He was born
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the son of the late George Peoples and Edna Craig Simpson. George was a practicing accountant, being a member of the Arkansas and National Society of Accountants and an enrolled agent of the Internal Revenue Service. He served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1967 seeing duty in Alaska and in the States. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Pulaski Heights, the Boy Scouts of America, the Master Gardeners of Pulaski County, and The Little Rock Runner's Club.
George is survived by his wife of 35 years, Helen Kaylor Simpson of Little Rock, one brother John W. Simpson of Raleigh, North Carolina, several brother and sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation Friday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed Saturday with a funeral service at 10 A.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Dr. Rex Horne. Burial will follow at 1 P.M. at Cross Roads Cemetery
just North of Rose Bud, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund or a favorite charity.
William Monroe Ballard Jr.
William Monroe Ballard Jr., age 77, of Little Rock died April 5, 2003.
He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas in 1949. He was a World War II Veteran with the United States Navy. He retired as Administrator of Revenue for the Arkansas State Parks Department. He was also the former Vice President of Moses Melody for many years.
He is survived by his loving wife Marion Hardy Ballard; three children, Barry Ballard of Hot Springs, Janice Ballard Rogers of Little Rock, and Greg Ballard of Little Rock ; six grand children. He is also survived by one sister, Fannie Cash of Batesville.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday at Pinecrest Memorial Park . The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Monday evening at Ruebel Funeral Home.
