Gerald Mac Stripling

Gerald Mac Stripling, 73, of Conway, Arkansas, died Monday, April 16, 2012 in Little Rock, Arkansas following a valiant battle against multiple health problems; a man of uncommon courage, special love and sense of fun and laughter. Mr. Stripling was born Tuesday, February 7, 1939 to Duell Ripp and Ila Mae Stripling in Bullard, Texas and grew up in Houston, Texas where he graduated from Reagan High School in 1957 and went on to graduate from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas in 1961 with a degree in Economics and Business Management. He was Co-Publisher/Business Manager of southwest Arkansas weekly newspaper, The Little River News Communications Inc., Little River County, Ashdown, Arkansas for 28 years, partnered with brother-in-law, James Williamson, Editor starting in 1978. Prior to the newspaper career, Mr. Stripling, was a veteran of 17 years in insurance and retail financial management with Transamerica Corp., Dillard's Corp. and American Fidelity in Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duell Ripp and Ila Mae Stripling, a brother, James Stripling of Jackson, Mississippi and his mother-in-law, Marjorie Williamson of Ashdown, formerly of Arlington, Texas. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Juanita Stripling; daughter and son-in-law, Tracy Lee and Arturo Madrid; and son, Adam Stripling, all of Conway; three grandchildren, Aspen Lee and April Lee Madrid and Quinten Mac Stripling, all of Conway; one brother and sister-in-law, Royce and Jeannine Stripling of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Katrina Williamson and father-in-law, Homer Williamson, all of Ashdown; nieces, Marsha, Lori and Heather; nephews, Jack, Glen, Mark, and Darrell and many long time friends from Houston. Bruce and Susan Efird of Mena and their children Neila, Anthony and Emily were very important friends in his life and completed his family. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, AR. Location and time of memorial services to celebrate Gerald's life are pending.