Larry R. Cathey

Larry R. Cathey, 78, of Bearden passed away Friday, December 13, 2024 at Jefferson Regional Memorial in Pine Bluff. Born March 17, 1946 in Hopeville, Arkansas to the late Virgil R. Cathey and Ruby L. Simpson Cathey, he was the baby of the family and had three older sisters that doted on him most of his life.

When he graduated high school, he took a job at the furniture factory in Camden. He then worked briefly at Phelps Dodge before settling into a job at the International Paper Company dunnage plant. He was a dedicated employee and remained with the dunnage plant for over 40 years until his retirement in 2011.

With his father passing away when Larry was only two, he became a devoted son to his loving mother early in life and remained by her side until her death in 2002. When he wasn’t working or taking care of Memaw, you could find him outside. He and Memaw always had a garden that he worked with his tractor. But his favorite time of year was deer season. He loved to hunt and spent many of his vacation weeks in the woods right outside his door.

His nieces and nephews will fondly remember Uncle Larry as fun-loving and humorous. Anytime they got to go to Memaw and Uncle Larry’s, he always came up with some crazy, comical antics just to entertain them. He had the greatest laugh and the whole family enjoyed watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation every year just to hear his reaction.

Larry was a devoted son, brother and uncle, but his defining and most important role in life was being a faithful Christian.

Larry became a member of Hopeville Assembly of God in 1978. He was baptized and served faithfully doing whatever was needed, spending many weekends working the Hopeville BBQ. He loved his church and church family and greatly missed being able to attend once he became a resident of St. John’s Place.

Larry had a servant’s heart and was a humble, honest, caring and compassionate soul with funny characteristics reminiscent of Andy Griffith’s Gomer with his naivety and innocence. He saw the good in everybody.

Larry is rejoicing in Heaven today with his parents and his sister Mary Hopkins, and sisters and brothers-in-laws Helen and William Willson and Lucy and William Shurtleff.

Larry is lovingly remembered by his brother-in-law David Hopkins, niece Kaye Baird, nephew Johnny Hopkins and wife Carol all of Bearden, nephew Keith Willson and wife, Leah of Mountain Home, and niece Brigette Rose and husband, Mark of Bossier City, La; great nephews Mark Hopkins, Jack Rose, and John Rose, and one great niece Dustie Hopkins and four great great nephews.

The family wishes to thank St. John’s Place for their patient, compassionate care of Larry in his last years. Visitation will be at Bethel Cemetery Tuesday, December 17th at 1:30 pm immediately followed by graveside services at 2 pm with Rev. Kelby Nelson officiating. Pallbearers will be: Mark Hopkins, Robbie Word, Chad Word, Monte Launius, Joe Parnell, and Ricky Dorey. Memorials may be made to Hopeville Assembly of God. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .