Audy Ray Stobaugh

Audy Ray Stobaugh Sr., age 92, of Kenwood, Ark., went to be with his Father on November 22, 2012. Audy was born in Center Ridge, Ark., on April 18, 1920 on Smoky Road at the foot of Wolverton Mountain. He was the son of William H. Stobaugh and Bessie A. Howard. He is survived by his wife, Edith Marie(Wofford) Stobaugh, and three sons, Audy Ray Stobaugh Jr. (Cheryl), Barry W. Stobaugh (Eva), Robert L. Stobaugh (Mary Ann), and daughter-in-law, Paulette Stobaugh-Jones all of Kenwood. He had one surviving sibling (Wanda Stobaugh Bennett). He was preceded in death by one son, William Bruce Stobaugh, and two brothers, Herman Stobaugh and Aaron Stobaugh. Audy had eight grandchildren, Cassie Stobaugh Chapman (Jeff), Brandi Stobaugh Cooper (Kylan), Bart Stobaugh (Ashley), Kyle Stobaugh (Sarah), Lindsay Stobaugh, Bryan Stobaugh, Candice Stobaugh, and Mallory Stobaugh. Audy had eight great-grandchildren, Cade Chapman, Karlee Cooper, Seth Chapman, August Stobaugh, Kambree Cooper, Carter Stobaugh, Bentley Stobaugh, and Eliza Stobaugh. Audy was a member of the Downtown Church of Christ in Morrilton and a World War II Veteran. Audy grew up on the family farm in Plumerville, Ark. At the age of 19, Audy began a paper route in rural Arkansas for the Arkansas Gazette. He also delivered motion picture films to the theatre. At the age of 21, Audy was drafted into the United States Army on November 7, 1941. He drove a Jeep onto Omaha Beach, Normandy, two days after D-Day. He served the rest of his time across the European Country in the 29th Infantry Division Recon Troop. He endured battles such as the Battle of St. Lo. Audy received the American Defense Service Ribbon, EAME Service Ribbon with four Bronze Service Stars, and one Bronze Arrowhead Purple Heart. He was Honorably discharged on September 24, 1945. Upon being discharged from the United States Army, Audy continued his paper and film transit route. On January 25, 1950, Audy and Edith were married. In January 1951, Audy purchased 80 acres to begin his own endeavor as a farmer, while he still continued his paper route on Sundays until 1962. On the farm Audy had cattle and grew cotton, wheat, and soybean. He continued farming until 1983 when he sold the farm to his sons. At that time, he was farming 3,400 acres. To this day, the farm and those original 80 acres are still being used by his sons and grandson as part of Stobaugh Brothers Farms. Audy served on the boards of the Conway County Farm Bureau, Agri Co-op Supply, Riceland Foods. Audy and Edith were selected as the Conway County Farm Family of the Year in 1964. Cross country adventures throughout the United States were a passion of his, and he made every effort to ensure that his children and grandchildren were able to do the same. Education was important to him, so Audy secured the funds to send all of his children and grandchildren to college. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 26, at the Downtown Church of Christ with Mr. George Hulett officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 25, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Brookridge Cove, 1000 Brookridge Lane, Morrilton, Arkansas 72110, or Arkansas Hospice, 2405 East Parkway, Suite 3, Russellville, Arkansas 72802, or charity of your choice. Pallbearers will be Bart Stobaugh, Kyle Stobaugh, Bryan Stobaugh, Cade Chapman, Jeff Chapman, and Kylan Cooper. Online guest book: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.