Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Barclay’s political work recalled
Richard “Dick” Barclay, known for his political career in the Republican Party and for his love of community service, died Friday. He was 81. Barclay served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1976 to 1992, and he later worked on Gov. Mike Huckabee’s staff. “Dick accomplished a lot in his lifetime,” said Jonathan Barnett of Siloam Springs, a friend and former state representative. “He did so much for others. He was a public servant and was good at it. We were fortunate to have him.” He was born June 5, 1937, in Oberlin, Kan., and later graduated from Topeka (Kan.) High School and Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., according to his obituary. Dick married Jan Forbes in 1960, and they honeymooned in Rogers. He
later moved to Rogers to begin his accounting career with his brother, Charles “Chuck” Barclay. Barclay worked in certified public accounting before he retired in 1999. Raymond Burns, president and CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, remembered as a teen getting his taxes done by Barclay. He said Barclay continued to do his taxes for many years after that. Barclay gave up his seat in the state House of Representatives to run for Congress in 1992 — when John Paul Hammerschmidt retired — but he lost the GOP primary to Tim Hutchinson. Rogers attorney David Matthews, a Democrat, served with Barclay in the state Legislature for eight years. Matthews said he and Barclay carpooled to and from Little Rock during the time Matthews served in office. Barclay always did his taxes, too, Matthews said. “We just got along,” Matthews said. “He was a mentor to me. I enjoyed his company, his guidance and his leadership. He was always positive. There was no negativity about him. He always had a smile on his face. He was the quintessential public servant.” Barclay returned to public service on Huckabee’s first executive team in 1996 and was appointed the state’s chief fiscal officer and director of the Department of Finance and Administration in 1999. He also served as the chairman of the Benton County Republican Party. “He was a person who got things done,” Burns said. “It didn’t matter what political party you were with. He was the personification of bipartisan. He was one of compromise and getting things done.” Dick Trammel, member of the Arkansas Highway Commission, said Barclay was one of the first people he met when he moved to Rogers more than 43 years ago. “Dick was a person who was always there to help,” Trammel said. “He is one of the most important people to make Northwest Arkansas what it is today and what it will be in the future.” Barclay served as the president and was a board member for the Rogers Little Theater — now known as the now Arkansas Public Theatre — was a commissioner for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, was chairman for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and served as member and president of the Northwest Arkansas Council. Ed McClure, a Rogers attorney, said Barclay spearheaded a campaign for the theater to pay off debt through a public-private partnership. “I will never forget the work he did,” McClure said. “Such a gentleman, so smart and wise about things.” Barclay also worked with the Rogers City Council, Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, Mercy Health System, the Northwest Arkansas Council and First Christian Church of Rogers (Disciples of Christ). Matthews said Barclay was instrumental in the creation of Hobbs State Park and Northwest Arkansas Community College. Barclay attended First Christian Church in Rogers and served as a board chairman and an elder. More recently, Barclay and his wife attended Fellowship Bible Church to see their son, John, lead service. “He was a man of faith,” Barnett said. “He had that part figured out. He loved his family. He was a great family man.” Barclay also loved music and singing. He played in a bluegrass band with friends Jerry Hines and David Jeffery. He also sang in a barbershop quartet, according to his obituary. Last year, the Rotary Club of Rogers named Barclay — who was never a Rotarian — recipient of the Dick Daniel Distinguished Citizen Award. “Dick was a dedicated public servant, effective legislator and influential businessman who served as a pillar of our community and pioneer of today’s Republican Party,” said Third District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers. “He left a permanent mark on Rogers and Arkansas — and I believe his legacy will inspire countless others to a life of public service.” Funeral services will be held Friday in the chapel at Fellowship Bible Church, 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers. Visitation will be 10 to 10:45 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m.