Howard M. "Baldy" Faulkner Obituary (1926 - 2015)

Howard M. "Baldy" Faulkner, 88, of Russellville died Friday, April 03, 2015 at his home. Born August 27, 1926 in Pilot Grove, Texas to the late Howard M. Faulkner and Mamie S. Butts. He was a 1944 graduate of Conway High School. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force B-29 Heavy Bombardment unit, 301st Bomb Wing and was stationed in Europe during the Korean War. He previously served as an officer in high school junior R.O.T.C. in Dallas, Texas, HQS Co. 217th Combat Engineers Arkansas National Guard Unit at Arkansas Tech. He was active in the 301st Bomb Wing Veterans Association. He married LaRue Heflin on January 27, 1950 at the First Methodist Church in Russellville with Rev. William Cooley officiating. He later served as an Elder at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was a member. He was a member of the ATU Green & Gold Club and the T Club at Arkansas Tech University where he played quarterback for Coach John Tucker. He was a member of the Engineers Club, Band and Choir. He graduated from ATU with an Associate in Science and Bachelors Degree in Psychology. He received his Masters Degree in Psychology and Counseling from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Upon graduation he was employed as a Psychological Examiner for 25 years by Arkansas Rehabilitation Service working in various facilities, cities and schools. Upon retirement he worked for Counseling Associates in Russellville, Russellville Realty as Corporate Relocation Representative, and First Arkansas Valley Bank as Business Development Officer. Baldy was a journeyman brick mason and was instrumental in doing the masonry for multiple buildings around Russellville. He participated in construction of the new Russellville Masonic Lodge. In addition to church activities he was a 66 year member of Russellville Masonic Lodge #274 and Little Rock 32 degree Scottish Rite Consistory. He was a life member of the 301st Bomb Wing Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, a member of the American Legion, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, Arkansas Public Employee Retirement System and AARP. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, LaRue Heflin Faulkner. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia Lea and Mike Chaffin, Linda Kaye and Dennis Boyd and four grandchildren, Nathaniel (Lisa) and Andrew (Heather) Chaffin, Kelsey Cox (Jerome), Kirsten Banks (Michael); four great-grandchildren, Andi Johnson, Savannah and Trace Chaffin and Cameron Cox. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Monday April 6, 2015 at Humphrey Chapel in Russellville. Dr. Steve Mosley will be officiating. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service. Masonic Rites will be held along with military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force and Rogers-Rye VFW Post #2283. Visitation will be from 6 to 8pm Sunday at the funeral home. Active pallbearers are Nathaniel Chaffin, Andrew Chaffin, Michael Banks, Jerome Cox, Richard Faulkner and David Oates. Honorary pallbearers are Stan Russ, Deward Dopson, Joe Heflin, James Heflin and his Russellville Masonic brothers at Lodge #274. Memorials may be made to the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1200 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801. PDF Printable Version