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.

FAYETTEVILLE — Virgil Lee Blackwell, age 84, of Fayetteville, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Fayetteville. He was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Holly, Colo., the son of George and Lucy (Vest) Blackwell.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Virgil Lee Jr. and two sisters, Rita and Joyce.

He attended Colorado State College of Education in Greely where he was on the wrestling team. He met the love of his life, Oma Lea Lovette, there and they were married Aug. 4, 1956.

Virgil entered the Air Force where he had a distinguished career and served in Vietnam. After retiring from the USAF, he became a high school teacher and principal. He earned his masters of education from the University of Arkansas. He retired from teaching at Greenland Public Schools.

He is survived by his wife, Oma Blackwell of Fayetteville; two sons, Joe Blackwell and Scott Blackwell of Fayetteville; daughter Karen and husband Rusty Reynolds of Waco, Texas; six grandchildren, Cassie and husband

John Kooy of Rogers, Ark., Brady Blackwell, Ashley and husband Morgan Mulch of Temple, Texas, Joshua Reynolds, Rachel Reynolds, and Katherine Reynolds of Texas; three great-grandchildren, Blakely Kooy, Michael Mulch, and Mason Mulch, and two brothers Bud Blackwell of Holly, Colo., and Duane Blackwell of Utah.

Virgil was an avid gardener and reader. He loved traveling with his wife Oma, especially two trips to Europe. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a longtime member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, March 4, 2019, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville with pastor Clint Schneckloth officiating, followed by burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Chapel. Memorials can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 Old Missouri Road, Fayetteville, Ark., 72703. To sign the online guest book, visit www. mooresfuneralchapel.com.

GOSHEN — Benjamin “Ben” Perdew Jr., 58, of Goshen, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Ben was a veteran of the Army, outdoorsman, and devoted to his family. A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, online obituary and guestbook at www. heritageofnwa.com.

HUNTSVILLE — Kennith Dale Graham, 79, of Huntsville; died Feb. 28, 2019. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019, in the chapel of Brashears Funeral Home with Jerry Henshaw officiating. Interment will immediately follow services at Marshall Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

KATY, Texas — David Livingston Burrough, born Jan. 28, 1937, in Fort Smith, Ark., died after a long illness on Feb. 23, 2019, in Katy, Texas.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Anne; his brother, John M. Burrough (Mary); three children, Lee Anne (Gary Riley), Jane (Mark Antoine), David Austin (Rhonda); six grandchildren, Rhae, Molly (Weston Novelli), Chris, Alex, David, Corey, and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mildred and John V. Burrough of Van Buren, Ark.

David was a long time member of the Boanerges Sunday school class at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark., before moving to Katy, Texas, in 2005. There he attended St. Peter’s United Methodist Church as a member of the Left-Over-Friends Sunday school class. While in Little Rock, he served for many years on the troop committee of Boy Scouts of America Troop 336 and served the BSA Quapaw Council as well.

Family was very important to David. He was always a part of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, including numerous band and orchestra concerts, dance recitals, plays, soccer, baseball, softball and basketball games, school projects, Boy Scouts, castle building and doll bed construction.

As a child, David loved to read and learn about world geography and military history, especially the Civil War, and started his extensive stamp collection. David graduated as valedictorian of Kemper Military School High School. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business adminis- tration while in Army ROTC at the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. After serving briefly on active duty in the Army, he began his career in the finance branch of the Army Corps of Engineers as an auditor.

Over a 40-year career, he became interested in economic development and environmental impact and worked on the development of the Kerr McClelland waterway system in Oklahoma and Arkansas, retiring as the deputy district engineer for Project Management, the top civilian position in the Little Rock District. David was inducted into the Arkansas River Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2015 for his body of work with the Corps of Engineers.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment in Katy Magnolia Cemetery. To express condolences, please visit www. SchmidtFuneralHome.net. Funeral services held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home, 1344 W. Grand Parkway South, Katy, Texas, 77494, (281) 391-2424.