Devoe "Paw" Bollinger, Jr.

Mr. Devoe "Paw" Bollinger Jr., age 82, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, died Monday, November 29, 2010 in the De Queen Medical Center. He was born December 31, 1927 in Cerro Gordo, Arkansas. Mr. Bollinger attended Magnolia A&M after serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. He served as the postmaster of Horatio for 17 years. He was a life-long cattleman who dedicated his life to improving the image of Arkansas Ranchers. Mr. Bollinger was preceded in death by his parents, Devoe Bollinger Sr. and Edna Brazil Bollinger, and his sisters Geraldine Beshear, Maxine Pike, and Jean Gibson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie Graves Bollinger; one daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and David Izzo of Cerro Gordo, Arkansas; two grandsons, Jordan William Izzo and Zachary Cole Devoe Izzo; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Corinne Robinson of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Lou and Jim Johnson of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a number of nieces and nephews as well as a host of many dear friends. Funeral services for Mr. Bollinger will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Fred Smith, Phil Smith, and Travis Langley officiating. Burial will follow in the Pauley Cemetery. His leadership and service brought distinction to Arkansas agriculture. He served 3 terms on the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission with two of those as chairman. During this time, under Bollinger's leadership the commission established a calf-hood vaccination program to protect livestock from brucellosis. Today Arkansas is brucellosis free because of his ability to communicate with producers and encourage them to work with state veterinarian in the program for the good of the industry. He mentored Arkansas youth by contributing money and livestock donations to scholarship fundraising. He was among the first to commit to help the University of Arkansas rebuild its animal science program. He continued to work with the U of A and county extension agencies for the purpose of field days and demonstrations so that other producers could learn new forage and production practices. For more than 40 years he was an active leader in Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Cattleman's Association, and many other organizations. He had received numerous awards including Sevier County Farm Family of the Year and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Southwest Man of the Year. In 2010, Mr. Bollinger was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame. This program, sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Farm Bureau, honors those who have made significant contributions to Arkansas agriculture, as well as community and economic development. Of all of Mr. Bollinger's accomplishments he was most proud of his family especially his two wonderful grandsons, Jordan and Zach, who he encouraged and inspired every day. He was also blessed and thankful for the many friendships he maintained through the years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation in honor of Mr. Bollinger. You may register on-line at www. wilkersonfuneralhomes.com.