Jay Howard McLarty

Jay Howard McLarty, 87,of Bryant was born February 19, 1923 in Amity, Arkansas to Amy Hawkins McLarty and Joseph Hardy Mc Larty. He passed away from Alzheimer's while a resident of Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab on Monday, July 12, 2010. Jay grew up in Nashville, Arkansas and attended Hendrix College prior to serving in the Air Force during WWII. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1948. Jay taught school for a short time in Murfreesboro (1948-49) and Monticello (1950-51). He married Rosemary McCuller of Gurdon, AR on June 23, 1951. They were a devoted couple until her death June 23, 1998. Jay retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield after 35 years where he was primarily manager of the Claims Department. He was a life -long Methodist, being a member of Asbury United Methodist Church while Rosemary was alive and Trinity United Methodist Church during the years after her death. He was a member of the Park Plaza Lions Club and served on the board of AARP. Jay especially enjoyed his years as a volunteer at Bale Elementary school working with the students in Kathleen Shute's kindergarten. Jay is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosemary and brother, Thomas A. McLarty. Jay is survived by his daughter, Judith and husband Charles Foote, grand-daughter, Candace and husband Lonnie Lane, grandson, Jason Courtney and wife Heather, step-granddaughters, Julie and Elizabeth Foote, and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Friday July 16, 2010at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth, 5800 W. 12th St. Little Rock (501-661-9111) Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home Thursday evening. Burial will follow the service at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bale Elementary School special education department or to canvascommunity United Methodist Church.