SEARCY — Lawrence Edward “Larry” Binz,
74, of Searcy, Ark., died Saturday, July 31, 2021, at his home. He was born April 27, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, a son of the late Thomas Edward and Nell (Flippen) Binz.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ann (Fridell) of Helena, who died in 2006.
A member of St. Richard Catholic Church in Bald Knob, and a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Larry was a past member of the Jaycees, Civitan, Kiwanis Club and Stuttgart Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing, reading, and researching W.W.II and Civil War history. Larry received his A.A.S. in Business Management in 1990 from the McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, with a 3.92 GPA; B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1960, as well as attending several seminars in the newspaper industry and related to agriculture and Farm Bureau Internal public relations.
He is survived by his sisters, Rebecca S. Binz of Little Rock; Mary Katherine Dawes Sneed of Searcy, Arkansas; nieces, Erin (Stanley) Chima; April (T.J.) Kennedy; Amber Moss and a nephew, Derek Dawes; great-nieces, Sarah Chima, Lily Kennedy, Emma Kennedy; great-nephews, Osias Moss, Elyason Moss, Sebastian Chima and Harrison Kennedy.
Larry had an extensive career in journalism throughout his life, working as Editor at The Stuttgart Daily Leader, The Fort Smith Times Record, Editor of Helena-West Helena Daily Word, Texas Farm Bureau—serving in various Editorial roles with that publication; Assistant City editor/Regional Editor of the Jackson Mississippi Daily News; City Editor of the Blytheville Courier News; Copy Editor of the Shreveport Times; Night News Editor of the El Dorado News-Times; Editor of the Jacksonville Daily News, in Jacksonville, Arkansas; City Editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial; and Associate Editor of the Guardian Press. Larry was a dedicated volunteer for many charitable organizations, especially his most recent involvement with the Daughters of the Other Side in Searcy. He was always available when called upon by his fellow parishioners.
A Rosary was held at 11 a.m., Monday, August 9, 2021, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church in Little Rock, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, under the direction of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Please share your messages of love and support with Larry’s family at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.