Mac John Carder Sr

MAC JOHN CARDER SR., died Friday morning July 28, 2017 in his Little Rock home with his wife of 67 years by his side. He was born on Oct. 31, 1923 in Prattsville, Ark., to Uriah Jackson Carder and Bertha Zenobia Keedy Carder. In 1942 he joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 years to serve his country in World War II with his two older brothers. He served in the battle to reclaim Attu, also known as the "Forgotten Battle. On his discharge in 1945 he returned to the Prattsville family farm. Mr. Carder then ran for Grant County Tax Assessor. He proceeded to "politic" all over Grant County in a 1930 Model "A" with no brakes. He had to put the car in reverse to make a stop. He went to all-day gatherings over the entire county, politicking, eating, even gave a speech for an absent opponent one time and did about everything but singing for a vote. He lost the election by 31 votes to a barber 20 years his elder. A very important occurrence came from his first unsuccessful political race; he met the love of his life, Helen Crouse of Sheridan, Ark. As he was campaigning for a vote from her father, he gave her a pat on the head. She was 21 years old and he was 27 years old when they married on Feb. 17, 1950. Just in time for her first vote. The Grant County political career continued. He was elected to Grant County Assessor in 1950 and 1952, Grant County Treasure in 1954 and 1956 and Grant County Clerk in 1958 and 1960. In 1962 he lost the County Clerk election. By this point in his life he had established a family of four, one daughter, Joan Elizabeth and a son Mac John Carder Jr. In 1963 he moved his family to Fordyce, Dallas County, Ark. He worked as Arkla Gas Company Manager until May 1973. In 1973 he formed the Mid-Ark Construction Company. This was an unsuccessful venture that ended in 1975. In 1975 he became an investigator for the Alcoholic Beverage Control. In 1979, then Governor Bill Clinton appointed him to Administrator of the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. He was again reappointed to this position by then Governor Frank White; he served in this position until 1981 and resigned to take the position as Executive Director of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas, where he served until 2007. He was a member of the Asbury Methodist Church in Little Rock. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was an enthusiastic fan of horse-racing.. He was an avid deer hunter and was "Captain" of the Carder Hunting Club in Cleveland County. He enjoyed his life to the fullest and took great pleasure in his grandsons. He provided sage wisdom and encouraged them to fulfill their dreams and hold no boundaries in life. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Helen Crouse Carder, his daughter Joan, his son Mac (Brandy), his grandsons John and Jackson, numerous nieces and nephews, dear friends and extended family. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening August 1, 2017 at the Roller Chenal Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. A memorial in celebration of life will be held at the Roller Chenal Funeral Home on Wednesday Aug. 2, 2017 at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Heifer Project International, Heifer USA, Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative (GRFC) and New South Produce Cooperative. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.