Ermond "Eray" R. Stalnaker

ERMOND RAY "E.RAY" STALNAKER, 82, of Little Rock died Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. He was born to the late Clark and Margie Stalnaker at Poughkeepsie, Ark. on July 9, 1932. E.Ray as he was best known, was a member of the Arkansas Legislature from 1993 – 1998. His greatest accomplishment while serving in the legislature was helping to improve the status of mental health disparity with insurance providers. His passion stemmed from the struggles he watched his parents and sister go through. Mental health coverage would later be changed from his initial influence and hard work. E.Ray was an Army Veteran during the Korean campaign and served with the military police while stationed in Ogden, Utah. He was a past president of the Associated Builders and Contractors Association. He was a current member of Iron Springs Masonic Lodge #342 – a 32nd Degree Mason with a 50 year pin. He was also a member of the Shrine and Scottish Rite for over fifty years. He was a member of the Rotary, Lions Club and numerous other organizations. In the 1960's and 70's he coached girls softball and basketball and served as District 9 County Commissioner for the Arkansas Softball Association for several years. He also played a huge role in the start-up and calibration process of the 18 missile silos in Arkansas, as well as the maintenance projects on them in Arkansas, Kansas and Arizona. E.Ray was a member of East Union Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the Encouragers Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his sister, Minnie Mae Stalnaker; brothers, Carmon Eugene and Lindsay Daniel; children, Tammy Davis and Michael Stalnaker; son-in-law, David DeArmond. Survivors include his wife, Ann McClellan Stalnaker of Little Rock; children, Joyce French and husband, Jack of Cabot, Debbie McGinnis and husband Fred of Houston/San Antonio, Texas, Linda DeArmond Young of Costa Rica, Karen Ray and husband, Joel of Raleigh, NC, and Cheryl Fulton of Little Rock; son-in-law, Eddie Davis of Little Rock; brother, Jim Stalnaker and wife, Betty of Mayflower; grandchildren, Mitchell Duran, Christina, Danielle and Josh Davis, Trey Koen and Lexi Fulton. Thank you to Baptist Hospice and E.Ray's truly special care-givers and friends Jacqueline Whimper and Kim Cooper. "We could not have made this journey without you!" Visitation will be 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Highway 5 North, Alexander, Ark. 72002. A funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 North, Alexander, Ark. 72002. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Arkansas Baptist Health Hospice, 11900 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, AR 72210 or East Union Missionary Baptist Church, 20422 N. Springlake Rd., Hensley, Ark. 72065, or Iron Springs Masonic Lodge #342. A meal will be provided after the services at Iron Springs Masonic Lodge #342- 18205 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, Ark. 72206.