Obituaries

Obituary: Dr. Marty Joe Harderson of Clarksville, AR

Marty Joe Harderson, DDS was born on June 9, 1960 in Clarksville, AR to Joe and Juanita Harderson. He graduated from formerly known as Hartman High School in Hartman, Arkansas, known now as Westside High School in Coal Hill, AR to eventually earn several high school honors, including the highest achievement math award. Ultimately, he made the decision to attend dental school in Memphis, Tennessee, which would set the course for the rest of his life. He used his skills in dentistry to help countless patients, witness to them as he was working on them, sing to them as he was working on them and make them feel more comfortable in a dentist office. He had an overwhelming passion to help those in need, resulting in several mission trips to different countries and mission clinics across the state of Arkansas. He loved music, learned how to play multiple instruments and wrote several songs that have touched so many lives. His love for the Lord was reflected in his love for people, family and his ministry of music in the church. Marty was full of life, loved to tell jokes and loved football more than most. He was an amazing father, grandfather and will be missed by several people more than words can describe.

He is preceded in death by Joe Harderson (father), Juanita Harderson (mother), Shiryl Harderson (sister) and Noah Samuel Harderson (grandson).

He is survived by one son, Gabriel (Crystal) Harderson of Clarksville; two brothers, Ken (Stacy) Harderson of Ozone and Victor Harderson of Oceanside, CA; one sister, Melba (Shawn) Ritchie of Pottsville; his four grandchildren, Kylee, Blakelee, Wyatt and Saylor and a host of other family and friends.

Obituary: Dr. James Calvin Wilkins, ADA Member for 61 years

Dr. James Calvin Wilkins, age 83, of North Little Rock, passed away October 3, 2022.

He was born July 13, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee to Thomas Dale and Hazel Wilkins. He was raised in Luxora, Arkansas, and was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Wilkins served as a Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve. He was a 1961 graduate of Hendrix College. He attended Dental School at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and graduated in 1964. He then pursued a fellowship in pediatric dentistry at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1967.

Dr. Wilkins took pride in his profession. He opened the first pediatric dental practice in North Little Rock. He was on staff at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for 50 years and recently honored for this achievement. He was active in Arkansas State Dental Association where he served for years in many capacities.

He was an active member of Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. He served on many boards, committees, and taught adult Sunday School class for many years.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and was always ready to help family, friends, and neighbors. He was well liked, loving, caring, extremely organized, and hard working. One of his greatest joys was working in his yard.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Wilkins; three sons, Dale Wilkins (Kelly), Thomas Wilkins (Karena), and Louis Wilkins (Marilyn); and six grandchildren, Taylor Wilkins Davis (Dustin), Kathryn Wilkins Kypke (Vaughn), Cameron Wilkins, Carter Wilkins, Nicholas Wilkins, and Caroline Wilkins.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Rd, North Little Rock.

Arrangements are by Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Dental Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Obituary: Dr. James Burgess, ADA Member for 67 Years

Dr. James A. Burgess, Jr. went to his eternal home on Friday, February 18, 2022. He was a barber, a dentist, a rancher, a community servant, but most of all he was a child of God. He was proud of his community of Greenwood, Arkansas and loved the Greenwood Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks.

Dr. Burgess was a 1949 graduate of Greenwood High School, graduate of Fort Smith Jr. College, University of Arkansas and University of Missouri School of Dentistry. He also received his barber license at the age of 16 which served him often while working his way through college. After graduating dental school, Dr. Burgess served the Greenwood community as a Dentist for 51 years. He also helped establish the Dental Hygienist program at UAFS and volunteered his time at the Community Dental Clinic.

Burgess served in the United States Navy during the Korean War before attending dental school in Kansas City. He later became a member of the Army National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In addition to serving his country, Dr. Burgess served on the following boards: MRDDS Board, Arkansas Pharmacy Board, Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, Degan Foundation Board, Sparks Hospital Board, Westark College Board, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Board, Greenwood Education Foundation Board, James Fork Water Users Association Board, Sebastian County Soil Conservation Board, and various other local boards and organizations. He also was a Liaison to Governor Frank White, member of Focus on Greenwood, assisted with the Trail of Lights project at Bell Park, was a member and Elder of Northside Church of Christ, and was President Elect of the UMKC Alumni Association. He and his wife, Myra were named Arkansas Parents of the Year and Dr. Burgess was named to the Greenwood Education Hall of Honor in 2008.

Dr. Burgess was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Burgess and Jewel Farrar Burgess, his stepmother, Mary Burgess and his son, Trey Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Myra of the home; two sisters, Yvonne Mizell of Greenwood and Linda Bewley (Bart) of Rogers, AR; one brother, John Paul Walker of Greenwood; one son, Dane Burgess (Tara); two daughters, Rozanne Sterling (Mark) and Suzanne Wilson (Don) all of Greenwood; nine grandchildren, Brooks Coatney (Amie) of Fayetteville, AR, Holly Elarbee (Glen) of Knoxville, TN, Ryan Sterling (Christen) of Greenwood, Taylor Sterling (Alexis) of Greenwood, Tyler Wilson of Little Rock AR, Allie Deacon (Adam) of Little Rock, AR, Jabe Burgess of Nashville, TN, Jax Burgess of Malibu, CA and Jett Burgess of Greenwood, AR and nine great grandchildren, Cruz Coatney, Cali Coatney, Crosby Coatney, Campbell Coatney, Griffin Elarbee, Peyton Sterling, Roman Sterling, Luxleigh Sterling and Davis Deacon.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, February 23 at the Greenwood Performing Arts Center with burial at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.

Pallbearers were Brooks Coatney, Tyler Wilson, Jabe Burgess, Jax Burgess, Jett Burgess, Ryan Sterling and Taylor Sterling. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Howard Brownfield, Dr. Neal Treece, Dr. Paul Evans, Dr. Brent Dunavin, Paul Rush, Glenn McDaniel, Curtis Weaver, Jim Barker, Dr. Mark Bailey, Rusty Mizell, Randy Mizell, Travis Hawkins and Ken Edwards.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Greenwood Education Foundation, 420 North Main St. Greenwood, AR 72936.

Obituary: Fred “Tuck” McDonald, ADA Member for 45 Years

Dr. Fred Tucker McDonald, 76, of Pine Bluff, passed away on February 16, 2022 at the McClellan Veterans Hospital in Little Rock. He was born April 19, 1945 in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Ross and Virginia Light McDonald. He was raised in Benton, Ark., and graduated from Benton High School in 1963. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at University of Arkansas in 1965, his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1968, and his Master of Science in Dentistry from Baylor University Orthodontic School in 1971.
Dr. McDonald served as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, and he was a member of several civic and professional groups including the Pine Bluff Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America, American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontics, and Arkansas Dental Association where he served as
president in 2004-2005. Colonel McDonald served his country in the United States Army National Guard for 32 years, where he completed two tours of duty overseas. Additionally, he served as an adjunct professor at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Dr. McDonald enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, but he was always happiest with his family,
especially his grandson Griffin.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of forty-five years, Julie Floyd McDonald; children, Cory McDonald (Samantha) of Rogers and Meredith Little (Stan) of Dahlonega, Georgia; grandson, Griffin Little; and brother, Mitchell McDonald of Benton.
A celebration of life service will be held at First Baptist Church in Pine Bluff on Monday, February 21st at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or Pine Bluff First Baptist Church. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, Little Rock, Ark., 72205, (501) 224-2200. Sign Dr. McDonald’s online guestbook at w.smithfamilycares.com.