SEARCY — George Robert Wadley, DVM,
92, passed away July 26, 2023, in Searcy, Ark. He was an accomplished man, whose national leadership in veterinary medicine led to his much-loved “Doc Wadley” nickname that carried with it the respect of his community, the love of his family and the gratitude of his clients.
George was born in Rector, Ark., on July 21, 1931, to George Michael and Ophelia Jayne Wadley. He grew up in Paragould, Ark, the only boy in a family with six girls. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in Animal Husbandry in 1952 from Arkansas State College in Jonesboro.
To fulfill his ROTC commitment after graduation, George served as a Second Lieutenant, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant, in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. Prior to his deployment to Korea, George obtained leave from Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Ark., traveling to Batesville on Jan. 25, 1953, to marry Mary Louise Reding.
After his military service, George worked for the Cotton Division of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture 1957 - 1968 until he left to fulfill a lifelong dream and enroll at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1972.
George, Louise and their four children then moved to Searcy, Ark., where he established Wadley Animal Clinic, practicing for 26 years until retiring in 1998. In 1986, George was honored as Veterinarian of the Year by the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association.
After his brief retirement, George resumed his work in veterinary medicine in various capacities, including as State Veterinarian for the Arkansas Racing Commission, Poultry Inspector with the Department of Agriculture and, finally, as a Senior Consultant for DVM Consulting, a New Orleans-based brokerage firm.
George served on many boards, including the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, serving as president for a term, the National Board Examination Committee, Arkansas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries.
George was preceded in death by his parents and Louise, his wife of 45 years and his sister, Sue Wadley Gennings.
George is survived by his children, sons George Robert “Robin” Wadley, Jr., of Searcy; David Lee Wadley (Cheryl) of Batesville; Michael Gary Wadley (Paula), of Searcy; and daughter, Kathryn Wadley Ingram (Jim) of Mart, Texas. He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Pat Thomas of Paragould; Anita Evans (Harry) of Santa Ana, Calif.; Kay Martinez, Angela Hyde (Hugh) and Marilyn Misenhimer, all of Fayetteville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be sent to Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries and the Searcy High School FFA program.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Park Avenue Baptist Church, 211 East Park Avenue, Searcy, Ark., 72143, with visitation immediately preceding the ceremony from 2-3. A graveside service will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Searcy.
All Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Searcy McEuen Funeral Home.
Share A Memory: www.SearcyMcEuenFuneralHome.com