Clyde Ralph Dent

Clyde Ralph Dent, 73, of Maumelle, a retired advertising copy writer, died early Sunday, February 16, 2014. He was the husband of Betty Shaw Dent, his beloved companion and best friend through 44 years of joyful marriage. He was senior copy writer at the Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods ad agency in Little Rock, retiring in 2006 after 15 years with the firm and completing a long career focused mainly on public relations and advertising. Clyde was a deacon and longtime member of the choir at Calvary Baptist Church in North Little Rock, where he was a devoted member for more than four decades. He was born in Little Rock on December 12, 1940, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Perry Dent of Little Rock. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a brother, Perry Gene Dent, and a cousin, Jimmy Mellard, who was his favorite hunting buddy. Clyde started his career in the ad department of the Arkansas Gazette after graduating from North Little Rock High School and service in the Air Force. He then worked as a reporter for the Log Cabin Democrat newspaper in Conway while completing his degree in Journalism and History at the University of Central Arkansas. He also was a reporter for The Associated Press in Little Rock for a time before renewing his career in advertising and public relations, which included a stint at the Woods Advertising Agency in Little Rock before he moved to CJRW. At CJRW, Clyde's responsibilities included work on state parks and tourism promotions and, among other matters, creating slogans for a number of Arkansas towns. A man with a winning, dry wit, Clyde had a variety of interests beyond his church work-including archery, golf, hunting and fishing. But his interest went beyond just participation in those activities. Not only did he shoot a bow, he built them for friends and relatives. He and Betty were weekend golfer-playing with clubs custom-built by him. As an avid deer hunter, he expanded his interest to firing a muzzle loader. As a fisherman, Clyde put together fishing rods and decorated them with intricate designs using thread. He also crafted lures. With a reputation for fine and unusual work, he passed along his techniques to others in small groups. His expertise took him to many regional Rodbuilder Association meetings where he demonstrated his rodbuilding techniques. Clyde and Betty enjoyed visiting Arkansas sites in their spare time; were perennial visitors to Sanibel Island, Florida, in the summer and Destin, Florida, in December; and frequented shops and entertainment venues at Branson, Missouri, each year. Clyde also is survived by nieces, Linda Johnson of Austin, Arkansas, and Erin Moore of Flower Mound, Texas, and nephews, John T. Dent and Robbie Shaw, both of North Little Rock. Clyde's memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Calvary Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. The family would like to thank Baptist Health and Arkansas Hospice for the loving care they gave Clyde. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, North Little Rock. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.