Elmer Louis Flucht, Jr.

Elmer Louis Flucht, Jr., of Maumelle, Ark., a retired investment banker, former member of the Arkansas State Banking Board, and longtime volunteer in the Arkansas Republican Party, died December 25, 2019, in Little Rock. He was 89. Mr. Flucht was born November 22, 1930, in Elkhart, Kan., to Elmer Louis Flucht, Sr. and Emily Sue Moore Flucht Miller. After living in Independence, Mo., he spent the latter half of his childhood in Van Buren, Ark., where he attended Van Buren High School and became an acolyte in the Episcopal Church, of which he was a lifelong member. After attending Fort Smith Junior College, he transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1949, majoring in business. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which was very dear to his heart, and remained close friends with several members of his SAE pledge class. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After completing military service, he joined investment banking firm Villareal & Company in Arkansas. After working for Villareal and other companies in the industry, he was a self-employed investment banker before retiring. Mr. Flucht loved duck hunting until he was too tired to hunt, and children, his SAE fraternity brothers, and politics until the day he died – even as Alzheimer's disease took its toll. He recognized and remained devoted to his wife, Mozella, until the very end. Mr. Flucht actively volunteered on behalf of Republican candidates starting in 1980, when he served as driver for Frank White's first gubernatorial campaign. He went on to serve dozens of campaigns in almost every conceivable capacity – from campaign manager, to state and county coordinator, to sign man – always as a volunteer. He was campaign manager for Arkansas Republican candidates including Judy Petty Wolf (U.S. House, 1984), Jim Klote (U.S. House, 1996), and Tom Prince (U.S. Senate, 1998), and volunteered with the George W. Bush presidential re-election campaign in 2004. Mr. Flucht served as both a delegate and alternate to the Republican National Convention. He also attended Lincoln Day Dinners in the state for many years. For his tireless efforts, Mr. Flucht earned the prestigious "Hi, I'm Frank White" Award from the Arkansas Republican Party. The award is given to individuals who dedicate their lives to growing the Republican Party of Arkansas. Mr. Flucht was appointed to the State Banking Board by Gov. Mike Huckabee, serving from 2006-2008. He also served as Chairman of the sewer system improvement district for Lake Conway and for several years as Sergeant at Arms for the Arkansas Senate. In addition to his parents, Mr. Flucht was preceded in death by his three children, Gwyne Flucht Bradford, Sarah Gibbs Flucht, and Eugene Wood (Woody) Flucht; his two siblings, Woody Flucht and Martha Ann Flucht Bailiff; his brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Bailiff; and his stepfather, Oscar Miller. Mr. Flucht is survived by his wife, Mozella Dees Flucht; a grandson, Charles Thomas Roberts III (Mary Claire); a stepson, Roy Watson Bullard (Karen); two step-granddaughters, Carmen Stewart and Leah Sheridan (Derek), six great-grandchildren, Thomas Roberts IV, Mary Jamison Roberts, Walker Lafayette Roberts, Jackson Monroe Stewart, Mallory June Stewart, and Lewis Watson Sheridan; two nephews, David Bailiff and Michael Bailiff; a niece, Jane Bailiff Mullin (Gary); numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and a host of friends. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi Ave., in Little Rock, followed by the deceased's interment in the church columbarium. The Rev. Danny Schieffler will officiate and The Rev. Michael McCain will assist . A reception for family and friends will follow, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Phyllis Kincannon Memorial Scholarship Fund (North Pulaski Republican Women), Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, or other charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com