Dolph Beadle Moore Jr.

DOLPH BEADLE MOORE JR., known for his infectious laugh, warmth, and intelligence, died on January 3, 2020 in Little Rock after a long illness. Beadle was born in Mobile, Alabama on October 5, 1941, the son of Marta Wolff Moore and Dolph Beadle Moore, an executive with Humble Oil. He spent his childhood in Opelousas, La., and moved to Tyler, Texas as a teenager. Beadle's love of Louisiana Cajun food started early in public school in Opelousas where, in kindergarten and first grade, he was served and drank coffee au lait for his school breakfast. Opelousas also introduced him to the joys of the Palace Café and Daidee's roast chicken which he often later made at home. In later years he loved visiting New Orleans with Blanche and friends and spending time in the Quarter with his aunt and uncle. In Tyler he boxed his high school sophomore and junior years and received the Outstanding Boxing Award in 1957. He wryly noted that like Muhammad Ali, he never lost a match. In his senior year he was chosen captain of the Robert E. Lee High School football team. At a time when football linemen were nimble and not behemoths, Beadle played guard on a scrappy team that prided itself on its heart despite few victories. Beadle attended college for two years at the University of Texas in Austin, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from East Texas State University in Commerce. As a graduate student, he had his first experience in teaching political science, a job he loved. From 1966 to 1969 he was an instructor at Arkansas A&M, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello. While there, he announced the radio play-by-play for the football team and was known as the Voice of the Weevils. Hoping to impress his future wife, Blanche Montgomery of Helena, he took her to a game on their first date, they sat in the press box, and he asked her to be his spotter. Nevertheless, she was not deterred, and they married in 1969. Beadle left to do additional graduate work at the University of Arizona in Tucson and Blanche, having graduated from the College of Pharmacy of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, practiced pharmacy. They returned in 1973 and Beadle took a position on the faculty of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the Political Science Department where he taught until 1990 enjoying the friendship of exceptional colleagues, Cal Ledbetter, Joel Anderson, Robert Johnston and Charles Chastain. Beadle also served in administrative positions in Advancement and Governmental Relations. After leaving UALR, Beadle worked at Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Company as assistant to the chairman until he retired in 1999. Beadle was a lifelong progressive "yellow dog" Democrat, although that may have been the only time Beadle ever acknowledged an affinity to the canine species. He was active in both state and national politics. He was president of the Young Democrats at East Texas State and served on the board of the Institute of Politics in Little Rock. In addition he was appointed to the Governor's Study Commission on Tax Reform and Commission on Experiential Education. During these years, Blanche was also working in governmental relations for Arkansas Children's Hospital after a ten-year career as a pharmacist. After their respective retirements Beadle and Blanche continued to enjoy travel, dancing, golf and spending time with friends and family as they had during all of their fifty years of happy marriage. Beadle was also an enthusiastic duck and pheasant hunter. When Beadle was unable to play golf in later years, he continued to drive the cart and coach Blanche on her game. Beadle was active in community affairs and did volunteer work at St. Vincent's Infirmary and as a guide at the Clinton library and he served on the boards of the American Red Cross, the Museum of Science and History, Friends of KUAR/KLRE and World Services for the Blind. Beadle had a healthy sense of humor and reveled in life and friendships, and Blanche was always his enthusiastic partner in every activity. It was hard to think of Beadle without also thinking of Blanche. They shared a wide circle of long-time, close friends of every political stripe, friends who rarely saw Beadle without a smile and a contagious zest for life. Rarely have two people complemented each other so completely. Beadle was predeceased by his parents, his sister-in-law, June Gayle Haraway and his brother-in-law, Paul Norwood. In addition to his wife, Blanche, he is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Dewar (Bobby) of New Braunfels, Texas, his brother-in-law, Vance Montgomery (Terry) of Helena, and many loving nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fair Park, Little Rock, Ark., 72204, (501) 664-7100. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 10 a.m., at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.ruebelfuneralhome.com.