D. Derrell Davis

D. Derrell Davis, 72 of Bryant passed away on July 28, 2013. He was born in Mena, Arkansas on May 9, 1941 to Doyne and Hilda Davis. Derrell was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Rachel of 49 years; his daughter, Tracy of Bryant; his son, Brad (Christi) of Benton; two grandsons, Jordan (Reema) of Conway and Ben of Benton. Derrell graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1962 where he served as President of the Student Council. He received his JD Degree from University of Arkansas School of Law in 1971 where he was a member of the Arkansas Law Review, Top Student in Taxation, and ranked second in his class. He started his career as a special agent, Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service from 1962-1968. After law school, he was an associate in the firm of Pearce, Robinson and McCord in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. After that, he was a tax court trial attorney, Office of Regional Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas, Texas. He and his family moved back to Arkansas in 1974 where he started his private practice in Little Rock and Bryant, working until his death. Derrell was the first Municipal Judge in Bryant, Arkansas serving from 1975 to 1993 when he retired from that position. He also served as part-time City Attorney, Bryant, and then became the Saline County Attorney until he retired from that position in 2007. He participated and was very active in civic and charitable organizations. Derrell has been a member of First United Methodist Church since 1974 and served in various church offices throughout his lifetime. He was past President of Bryant Chamber of Commerce and Bryant Lions Club. Derrell served as Director and Organizer of Farmstead Project, a director of Wilbur D. Mills Foundation, Inc., and Director of Arkansas and North Texas Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Derrell was a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard, 1963-1964 and the Arkansas Army National Guard, 1964-1970, attaining rank of First Lieutenant. Derrell was a dedicated family man and had a great network of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him very much. His favorite outdoor activities were deer hunting and fishing. Derrell passed on that love to his children and grandchildren. He was always willing to introduce that love of outdoors to anyone who wanted to accompany him to the Ouachita Mountains where he grew up. He was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, July 31, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center. A memorial service will be held Thursday morning, August 1, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Bryant. Memorials may be made in Derrell's name to First United Methodist Church, 518 N Reynolds Rd Bryant, Ark. 72022 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718. Please share your memories of Derrell at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.