Oliver Daniel O.D. Cathey

Oliver Daniel "O.D." Cathey, 88, of Fordyce passed away on August 2, 2016. He was born June 20, 1928 in Hopeville, Arkansas. O.D. lived a long, full life focused on generosity and selfless service to others, characteristics modeled after his grandparents, Oliver and Lena Anthony. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. O.D. and his brother Lee Roy owned and operated Cathey Brothers Tractor Company, a Ford tractor dealership in Thornton, Ark. He was a longtime member of the Fordyce First United Methodist Church, where he served as a youth leader, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Sunday School Superintendent. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Bearden for many years. O.D. had a quick, dry wit and the mind of an engineer. He was a mechanical and structural problem-solver who could design, build, and fix anything. O.D. enjoyed deer hunting and fellowship with the Thornton Hunting Club and camping and fishing trips to DeGray and Chicot. One of his greatest passions was working in his garden, and he was blessed with health that allowed him to continue this work until very recently. Though he took great pride in perfecting his vegetables, his greatest joy came from sharing his harvest with family, friends, and members of his community. O.D. easily won hearts of babies and young children, and his grandchildren spent many hours happily sitting in the lap of the man they called "D." O.D. was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Ila Ruth Sisson Anthony Cathey; five brothers, James Ray, Lee Roy "Pedie", Bobby, Carl and Harold Lloyd Cathey; and one sister, Eleanor Ruth Cathey Allred. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sara Brandon Cathey of Fordyce; three daughters, Lisa Mathis (Ritchie) of Jonesboro, Sue Jones (Craig) of Fayetteville, and Christie Cathey-Panza (Chris) of Springfield, Mo.; six grandchildren, Brandon Mathis (Emily) of Jonesboro, Sara Davis (Scott) of Little Rock, John Oliver "Jack" and Will Jones of Fayetteville, and Parker and Paige Panza of Springfield, Mo.; three great grandchildren, Hugh Mathis of Jonesboro, and Ryan and Beau Davis of Little Rock; and the families of the Oliver Anthony Limited Partnership, who he loved and served for 29 years. Though O.D. was a humble man who disliked attention, he would be deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support shown in recent weeks by members of his community. His family will forever be grateful for the care and compassion shown by his special caregivers, Mary Lou Smith and Mary Lou Sommer, and for the dedicated staff at St. John's Place. Visitation will be held between 6 and 8 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Benton Funeral Home, Fordyce. Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Fordyce on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Bethel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fordyce First United Methodist Church, 4th and Spring, Fordyce, Ark. 71742 or the Dallas County Museum, P.O. Box 703, Fordyce, Ark. 71742. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.