Lynn Arthur Davis

Lynn Arthur Davis, 78, of Little Rock passed away on September 15, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue Davis; three children: Anthony "Tony" Davis and his wife Beverly of Cabot, Kristi Davis of Atlanta, Georgia, and Clay Davis of Little Rock; three grandchildren: Ross Davis of Little Rock, Nathan Davis and his wife Heidi of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Lydia Sue Lilje of Atlanta, Georgia; and a brother Gene Davis and his wife Agnes of Newport, Arkansas. Lynn was born on July 7, 1933 in Texarkana, Arkansas to the late Clarence and Estelle (Ginnings) Davis. He graduated from Texarkana (Arkansas) High School in 1951, Henderson State Teachers College in 1955, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law in 1976. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the First Infantry Division "The Big Red One," and rose to the rank of Major in the Arkansas Army National Guard. In 1961 Lynn was selected to join the FBI and served as a Special Agent until selected by Governor Winthrop Rockefeller to serve as Arkansas State Police Director in 1967. He became noted nationally for shutting down open, but illegal, casino gambling in Hot Springs. In 1968, following an unsuccessful run for Secretary of State, he became the founding Director of the Arkansas Crime Commission, now known as the Arkansas Crime Information Center. In 1970 he was appointed U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas by President Richard Nixon, and served until 1974. He was the founding Director of the Pulaski County Child Support Enforcement Unit, the first unit of its kind in Arkansas, which later became a statewide agency, and was in private law practice for 33 years until his retirement. In 2009 Lynn wrote and published a book describing his experience during the time he led the raids to shut down illegal gambling in Hot Springs, entitled "They Said It Couldn't Be Done." In Lynn's service to his nation and state he touched the lives of so many others for the good, both professionally and personally. He was loved and will always be well remembered by his family and many friends. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 19, 2011 at First Baptist Church Chapel, 62 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.