front&center Sandy Huckabee

Circuit judge approaches the bench with a song in his heart

Sandy Huckabee serves as circuit judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit, Division 3. His friends and co-workers describe him as kind and caring with a great sense of humor, despite his difficult career.
Sandy Huckabee serves as circuit judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit, Division 3. His friends and co-workers describe him as kind and caring with a great sense of humor, despite his difficult career.

— Claiming to be boring, his charming sense of humor proved otherwise.

Parker Sanders Huckabee is just Sandy to those who know him, and there is nothing mundane about this 48-year-old judge.

“It’s hard to find somebody more sincere, thoughtful, kind and caring than Sandy Huckabee,” said Mark Eisold, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cabot. “He does have a great sense of humor, too. He goes around with cheer, and he adds cheer to everything.”

Described as sound and well grounded, Huckabee - the husband, father and former judge advocate general - once had to make a difficult choice: pursuing a career as a rock star or going to law school. He chose law school.

“I always had a real high regard for the law and those who were entrusted in upholding the law,” Huckabee said. “I thought if I were given the opportunity to serve in that capacity, I would be honored to do so.”

After a tour in Germany as an Air Force JAG, then building a successful private law practice in Cabot, Huckabee has taken the bench as the new circuit judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court, Division 3. He presides over domestic and civil cases, and everything from personal injury to foreclosures. But when he puts that gavel down, music still courses through his veins.

“There was always music going on in the house,” Huckabee said about his childhood in Mountain Home. “Mom was a church pianist for 30 years and apiano teacher. Dad is a lawyer in Mountain Home.” Huckabee’s mother’s musical influence led the high school basketball player to a position as a guitarist in South Star, a rock band that played at high school dances and a Fourth of July celebration on the square in Mountain Home.

Finished with his bachelor’s degree in music education, and just as Perspective, his college Christian rock band, was about to get a break and meet with music producers, Huckabee got word that he had been accepted to law school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Although he had to resign from the band, that didn’t stop him from carrying on with his music.

When he’s not wrapped in his judicial robe, Huckabee is composing and playing music and leading a music worship team for churches, men’s conferences, retreats and Bible studies. For six years, he has built a musical ministry at Cabot United Methodist Church.

“I’m a Christ follower,” Huckabee said. “I’m called to be a godly husband and father, and I pray to be the kind of example God wants me to be.” Huckabee also takes his Christian like ways into the courtroom.

“As a judge for the people who appear before me, whether I rule in their favor or the favor of the otherside, I hope they walk away thinking they’ve gotten their fair day in court, and they’ve been treated with respect,” Huckabee said. “I hope my decisions will be just decisions, and those decisions will help make people’s lives better.”

As a result of the growth of the caseload in Lonoke County, a new position was created, and Huckabee took over as Division 3 judge on Jan. 1, 2009. He attributes the growing number of cases filed to the increase in the population of Lonoke County.

“I think there’s probably, as with some other counties in the state - there has been a rise in some of the drug cases,” Huckabee said. “That has had an impact on families and the care of children. Those are some of the things I see.”

Although Huckabee is in an elected position, he doesn’t consider himself a politician.

“I like to think of myself as someone who has been entrusted with the opportunity to serve, and I consider public service a very noble and high calling, and I pray to be worthy of that calling,” he said.

His father, who is also a lawyer, had a tremendous impact on Huckabee’s view of the legal system. Another influence on his career is his father-in-law, retired Lonoke County Circuit Judge Lance Hanshaw.

“When he (Huckabee) wanted to become a judge, I rejoiced,” Eisold said. “He’s the kind of person who you want to have more authority.”

Before entering judicial service, Huckabee was certified as a mediator, a role in which he helped to solve disputes before they went before the judge.

“I really enjoyed the private law practice and being a military attorney, and I enjoy and appreciate being a judge,” Huckabee said. “It has been gratifying to be on the side of resolving disputes with people and rendering a fair and just decision while giving the people and their attorneys the full opportunity to present their cases.”

Aside from his judicial service and arranging and writing music, Huckabee loves to swim. Those who visit the Lonoke Community Center may see Huckabee swimming laps, sans his robe. But most of all, he loves his family. He and his wife, Holly, celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary in December, and adorning his office walls is the work of his favorite artists: his three children, who are also musicians.

“I have been blessed with great parents, a great family, an incredible wife and super children,” Huckabee said. “Jesus said, ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ I consider my services as a circuit judge as a calling and service, and I hope that [everyone] will find a way in which they can serve our community.” - jbrosius@ arkansasonline.commatter of factName: Parker Sanders “Sandy” Huckabee Date of birth: Feb. 1, 1962 Occupation: Lonoke County circuit judge, 3rd Division Family: Wife, Holly;

daughters, Marley and Micah; son, Lance; dogs, Lady and Locket; and cat, Lemon Hobbies: Playing guitar, swimming and arranging and writing songs (a few ...) The origin of my name is: “Parker” is my grandmother Mema’s maiden name (Dad’s mom), “Sanders” is my mom’s maiden name (grandparents Nanny and Pop), and “Sandy” is a nickname that has stayed with me from childhood I cannot live without: God and family Most people don’t know I’m: An avid fan of the Beatles and The Andy Griffith Show I cannot live without: My morning devotional (and coffee) My favorite memory is: During our first Christmastime together, while stationed in Europe in the Air Force, my wife, Holly, and I were walking with her family in the snow-covered streets of Innsbruck, Austria, when unexpectedly, trumpets began playing from one balcony and trombones answered and played from another balcony The world would be a better place if: We were all passionate followers of Jesus Christ Favorite quote: “Live every day on this Earth as if it were your last because one day you’ll be right”

Three Rivers, Pages 132 on 02/07/2010

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