Dr. Carl Ray Redden

Dr. Carl Ray Redden, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Conway Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 23, 1928, to the late James Hollis Redden and Hattie Redden Lloyd, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He received a Bachelors degree from Arkansas State University, a Masters degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Oklahoma State University. Upon receiving his doctorate, he taught for a brief time at Southwestern Oklahoma State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. In 1971, he joined the faculty at the University of Central Arkansas, where he served as chairman and professor of the Sociology Department until his retirement in 1997. He impacted thousands of students' lives during his tenure at UCA. He was an active member of The Gideons International for 34 years. His passion for providing God's Word led him on many trips around the nation and the world, providing Gideon Testaments to those who had never heard the name of Jesus. He served in various local, state, and international cabinet positions in the Gideon ministry. He was also a member of the Conway Noon Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Award. He was a member of Faith Assembly of God Church in Conway. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Melda Young Redden of Conway; one daughter, Jennifer Tipton and husband Denny of Sherwood; two sons, Jonathan Redden and wife Katie of Wooster, and Terry Redden and wife Lynn of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; one brother, Bob Redden and wife Shirley of Trumann; and six grandchildren. A funeral service to celebrate Carl's life will be on Friday, March 18th at 10 a.m. at Faith Assembly of God Church, 1655 Middle Road, Conway. Interment will be at Crestlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 17th, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. (501-327-7727). Memorials may be made to The Gideons International Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 397, Conway, Ark. Online Guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.