Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas

Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

BELLA VISTA — Victoria Olivia Richmond, 94, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away Aug. 16, 2018, at Concordia Nursing and Rehab. She was born Dec. 21, 1923, in Gary, Ind., to Herman and Elenora Pflughoeft. Victoria is survived by her sons, David Richmond of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Miles Richmond (Elma) of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements are provided by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.

BENTONVILLE — Donna Carol Williams, 68, of Bentonville passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at Circle Of Life Bentonville. She was born Dec. 17, 1949, in Morrow, Ark., to Theral and Ina Smith Troutt.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband Jess Williams of the home; one son, Chris Hoffarth and wife Kim of Centerton; one daughter, Amber Griffin of Rogers; one brother, Jerry Troutt and wife Janet of Rogers; one sister, Peggi Moore and husband Phil of Cave Springs; eight grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.

Her battle with ovarian cancer was long and hard. She will be missed by all who knew her. The love she had for her family knew no bounds. Rest now in heaven.

Services will be Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, 10 a.m. to noon at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Online condolences may be left at www. siscofuneral.com.

BETHEL HEIGHTS — Roy Dwayne Cofer II, 70, of Bethel Heights, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

Roy was born on June 19, 1948, in Water Valley, Miss. He was the son of Roy Dwayne Cofer Sr. and Eva Mae Melton Cofer. He married Rebecca Ann Smith in 1987. Roy owned and operated Roy’s Trailer Repair Shop. He enjoyed hunting, cookouts, going to his cabin in St. Paul, he loved his old cars and trucks, going to auctions and especially having people come to visit. Roy had a great heart, always “adopting” many as his children.

Roy loved his family with his whole heart. He was an honest man that considered a man’s word and hand shake as good as his signature. Roy has left a big foot print in Trailer Repair business.

True friendship was very important to Roy. He always said it was hard to come by, he didn’t care if you wore a 3 piece suit or dirty work clothes.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Cofer of the home; two sons, Roy “Haden” Dwayne Cofer III of the home, Robert Janes of Springdale; six daughters, Regenia Magdaleno of Fort Smith, Ellen Glenn of Tupelo, Miss., Amanda Cofer of Tupelo, Miss., Samantha Breedlove of Springdale, Magen Poolaw of Anderson, Mo., and Heather Oropeza of Springdale; two brothers, Carlis Cofer of Abbeville, Miss., and Jimmy Cofer of Water Valley, Miss.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Roy had a special bond with Angela Elliott and Leeann Methany and was fortunate enough that his boys at the shop are his son’s and he loved them the same as his other children. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Joseph Lorne Cofer, and two sisters, Anne Mae Jones and Sue Ellen Cofer.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale

on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Lowell on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Tom Riddle officiating. Burial to follow at the Elm Springs Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www. Backstrom-Pyeatte.com.

GOSHEN — James Darrel Tisdale, age 92, of Goshen, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. He was born March 25, 1926, in Goshen, Ark., the son of Andrew Virgil and Alta Agnes Villyar Tisdale.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vernice Tisdale; two sons, Bobby Darrel Tisdale and Karl Brent Tisdale; a sister, Bennie Jeanelle Stobaugh and a nephew, Don Stobaugh.

He was a retired postmaster of Goshen Post Office and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Pacific Campaign with the 11th Airborne Division and received the Bronze Star and Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by two nieces, Glenna Fox of Couer d’Alene, Idaho, and Janet Masters of Los Angeles, Calif.; two daughters-in-law, Caroline Terry Brice of Russellville and Judy Macias of Springdale; two grandchildren, Josh Brice of Russellville and Amanda Brice/ Lillie of Russellville and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, at Goshen United Methodist Church followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Goshen Cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Goshen United Methodist Church. To sign the online guest book, visit www. mooresfuneralchapel.com.

HARRISON — Dennis Paul McGarrah, 66, Harrison, died Aug. 14, 2018. Funeral is 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at Dominion Life Church with visitation an hour prior to service, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Wife, Nancy; and children, Paul (Johnna) McGarrah and Tamara (Mike) Boyd, survive him. Online Guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes.com/ harrison.

LITTLE ROCK — Ronald A. Robinson of Little Rock, veteran communications professional and namesake of the library theater in the River Market District, died on Aug.14 following a lengthy illness. He was 75.

Ron was former chairman and chief executive officer of CJRW, a full-service marketing and communications firm in Little Rock. His storied career at the agency began as a college intern. He then joined the firm full-time in 1970 and stayed until his retirement in 1996. During his tenure, CJRW became the largest advertising agency in Arkansas and its list of clients read like a “who’s-who” in Arkansas business and politics. It is an understatement to say that his partnership with Wayne Cranford, Jim Johnson, Shelby Woods and Wayne Woods was highly successful.

Rising to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force, Ron was awarded a Bronze Star in Vietnam and also received the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1969 for his support of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While there, he served as editor of the school newspaper The Arkansas Traveler.

In addition, the late Orville Henry, sports editor of the

Arkansas Gazette, hired Ron as a stringer to cover Razorback sports. It was probably the most enviable job on campus. Ron later studied public relations at Boston University’s Graduate School of Public Communications.

Ron kept a busy schedule at work, arriving early and

staying late. What free time he had was spent as an avid collector of U.S. postage stamps, vintage movie posters and Arkansas political and historical memorabilia. He enjoyed showing his collection to friends at his home, which many friends compared to a cozy museum.

Ron’s public relations skills have left lasting legacies for Arkansas. In 1986, the year of Arkansas’ sesquicentennial, he arranged for his client Arkansas Power & Light Company (now Entergy Arkansas) to underwrite the writing and production of a commemorative song as a gift to the state. The song Arkansas, You Run Deep in Me was written and sung by Ron’s college roommate, Wayland Holyfield, now a country music writer and recording artist in Nashville, Tenn. Ron’s brainchild was an instant hit and in 1987, the Arkansas legislature named it an official song of the state.

In 1993, he was appointed to the United States Postal Service Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee by the U.S. Postmaster General. The group is responsible for providing recommendations of topics to be shown on all U.S. postage stamps. During his 15-year membership, he was involved in the creation and production of more than 1,750 postage stamp issues. Ron used his influence to make certain Arkansas was the subject of several newly-issued postage stamps.

At one time, Ron owned almost 18,000 movie posters featuring everything from silent movies to current motion pictures. Of those, 200 posters have an Arkansas tie, and many were donated by Robinson through the years to the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS).

In 2014, CALS opened a new $10 million, 315-seat state-of-the-art theater in the Arcade Building at Little Rock’s River Market and named the new venue Ron Robinson Theater in honor of Robinson’s generosity and his many years of service to CALS. Its grand opening spanned several days to accommodate Ron’s many friends.

The list of Ron’s awards and accolades are too numerous to list Among them were “Business Executive of the Year” by Arkansas Business, and the Aluminum Award (now Crystal Award) by the Arkansas Chapter, Public Relations Society of America for lifetime service. He was also honored for his numerous professional accomplishments by the American Advertising Federation, North American Advertising Network, Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators and the National Public Relations Network.

The University of Arkansas Alumni Association honored Ron in 1997 with its Community Service Award, which is presented annually to a UA graduate whose volunteer leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of civic, state and national progress. He was honored in 2005 as a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and “The Ronald A. Robinson Scholarship” was established for deserving journalism students at UA.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, Edgar (Putt) and Martha Robinson. He is survived by a son, Reid Robinson; Reid’s wife, Jennifer; granddaughters Lauren Greer and Arden Katherine Robinson; a cousin, Allen Scott of Jenks, Oklahoma; and a host of extended family, friends and professional acquaintances.

The family will hold a private graveside service Friday, Aug. 17, at Mount Holly Cemetery, followed at 5 p.m. by a celebration of his remarkable life at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), 100 Rock Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, or to the Ron Robinson Scholarship, c/o University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media, 116 Kimpel Hall, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

LOWELL — Ivan Carl Bromley, 84, passed away at his home in Lowell, Ark., on Aug. 14, 2018. He was born Nov. 4, 1933, to Walter and Maude Alice Bromley.

After having spent 39 years as chief technician with the local cable company in Fayetteville, he retired and moved to Lowell. There he spent his time gardening, stargazing, attending weekly auctions and of course, tinkering in his workshop. Following a stroke in 2009, he spent his time reading a variety of books and magazines and watching the History and Discovery channels. Watching car auctions, game shows and westerns were among other favorite activities. Prior to Ivan’s stroke, he and Thelma were faithful attendees of West Ridge Freewill Baptist Church in Fayetteville.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laressa Jean Bromley; two brothers, Wesley and David Bromley; one sister, Linda Shepherd; and a great-granddaughter, Cally Gilleland. He will be remembered by his wife of 35 years, Thelma Bromley; son, Carl Bromley and wife, Linda, of Lowell, Ark.; son, Steve Bromley of Glenpool, Okla.; daughter, Marsha Freeman and husband Aubrey of Houghton, Mich.; daughter, Alesha Gilleland of Dallas, Texas; and bonus daughters, Tamara Gilbert and husband, David, of Lowell, Ark.; Kim Buck and husband, Jim, of Springdale, Ark.; Michelle Brewer and husband, Tracy, of Fayetteville, Ark.; 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at 9 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 10 a.m., officiated by Rev. Loyd Thomas. Interment will be at the Bluff Cemetery immediately following the service.

Pallbearers will be Jason Bromley, Aubrey Freeman III, Peter Freeman, Adam Sjogern, Mathew Gilleland and Nathan Gilbert. All other grandchildren are honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice in his memory. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.BackstromPyeatte.com.

ANDOVER, Kan. — David Domingues, 51, passed away on Aug. 10, 2018, in Andover, Kan. Dave was born in Topeka, Kan., on Sept. 4, 1966. He grew up in Topeka and graduated from Topeka West High School in 1985.

He worked at Goodyear in Topeka for eight years. He then began a long and successful career with Walmart in 1993 where he managed multiple distribution center locations in multiple states. He then worked his way into the corporate headquarters which took him to South Africa. He was a mentor and a positive role model for many people during his career. Dave retired as the vice president of Global Business Process-International Innovations in 2014.

Dave married MiLana Mitchell in November 1990. Together they had two sons, Tyler and Trent. Dave grew up with a love for cars and history. He was involved in the Sandhills Open Road challenge for many years. He had an incredible gift for storytelling, a sharp wit and was the life of every party. His wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary and his father, Ben. He is survived by his mother Carol Domingues (Topeka, Kan.), his wife, MiLana Domingues (Andover, Kan.), his sons, Tyler Domingues (Fayetteville, Ark.), Trent Domingues (Andover, Kan.), grandson, Xander, brother, Greg Domingues (Topeka, Kan.), sister, Keri Schumacher (Mike), nieces Anna and Sara Schumacher (Overland Park, Kan.), and uncles, Fred Pitts, Gerald Pitts (Joplin, Mo.), and Lynn Pitts (Webb City, Mo.).

A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Topeka, Kan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the American Liver Foundation (National Office, 39 Broadway, Suite 2700, New York, N.Y., 10006, www. liverfoundation.org).