Cledis A. Davenport

Cledis A. Davenport, of Benton, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Ark. at the age of 82. He was born Aug. 18, 1930 in Sheridan, Ark. to the late Grover and Grace Davis Davenport. He had an extensive career with the federal government, retiring from the U.S. Army and the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Mike Loper of Loveland, Colo. and Melinda and Jim Butzlaff of Bryant, Ark.; four grandchildren, Tracey Loper of Boulder, Colo., Bradley Loper of Fort Collins, Colo. and Kevin Butzlaff and Kendall Butzlaff of Bryant, Ark.; three brothers, Donald Davenport (Carolyn) of Little Rock; Rommie Davenport (Martha) of Judsonia and Jerry Davenport (Janet) of Malvern; one sister, Brenda Gray (Thomas) of Jonesboro, Ark.; brother-in-law, Virgil Swilling (Jenny) of Sheridan; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Maxine Swilling Davenport, and his parents, Grover and Grace Davis Davenport. Visitation will be on Monday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan. Funeral services will be at Tuesday, July 30 at 3 p.m., in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Michael Walton and Rev. Larry Ballard officiating. A military burial with full honors to follow at Lost Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tracey Loper, Bradley Loper, Kevin Butzlaff, Kendall Butzlaff, Christopher Davenport, Bruce Davenport and Russ White. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lost Creek Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 514, Sheridan, Ark. 72150; Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 1403 West Center Street, Sheridan, Ark. 72150; or Hospice Home Care, 2200 South Bowman Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.