Earl Paty Jr., was a lifelong resident of Grant County where he built a solid foundation of community service that impacted countless lives and will forever be remembered by all who knew him. Whether serving others during his 40 year career at International Paper Co., or through his involvement with numerous local and state organizations, he devoted his lifetime to selflessly giving back to the citizens of Grant County and the State of Arkansas to make the world a better place.

   Earl Paty Jr., was a devout man of faith and a member of Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church. He took great pride in serving the church and congregation on the Administrative Board, as a Sunday School teacher and as a delegate to the Arkansas Annual Conference. He even rose to the level of becoming a Certified Lay Speaker within the United Methodist Church. In addition, he was actively involved with numerous local organizations where he devoted his time and heartfelt energies to others. These included the Grant County Fair Board, the Grant County 4-H Club, the Southeast Arkansas District Development Cooperative and the Sheridan Masonic Lodge.

   Perhaps my fondest memories of Earl Paty Jr., are the many discussions we had over the years about politics, as he well understood how a career in public service could positively affect the lives of thousands. I always admired his fervor for politics which took him up the ladder from Chairman of the Grant County Democratic Party to the Executive Director of the Senior Democrats of Arkansas. His contributions to the Democratic Party were recognized in 2003 when he was honored with the distinguished Harold Jinks Democratic Memorial Award. In fact, it was Earl Paty Jr., who inspired me, through his passion and love of politics and public service, to seek elected office and run for the seat I now hold as U.S. Representative of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District. For that, I am forever grateful. He was a man I truly looked up to and admired and I am blessed to have been able to call Earl a dear friend.