Joseph Womack

Our beloved father, JOSEPH WOMACK, entered into eternal life Dec. 1, 2012, surrounded by family. Dad was born in Nashville, Tenn., on July 5, 1927. After graduating from Hillsboro High and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he joined the U.S. Navy. Following World War II, he returned home to Nashville. In 1949, Dad graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. He later earned a Master's degree in electronics and instrumentation from the University of Arkansas. After Vanderbilt, Dad became Scout executive for the De Soto Council of the Boy Scouts in El Dorado, Ark. It was there that he met the love of his life. He and Ethel Lorraine King were married for 59 years. Together they would bring five girls into this world. Upon the start of the Korean War, he reentered the military and served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. When he returned to civilian life he began his career with Westinghouse Corporation (later North American Philips) in Little Rock, Ark. As if raising five girls while holding down a day job was not sufficiently distracting, he also served as an adjunct professor for evening classes at what was then Little Rock University. In 1994, he retired as the plant engineering manager at Westinghouse Corporation after 38 years of service. For 55 years, Dad was a faithful steward, spiritual leader and Elder Emeritus at Parkview Christian Church. He was active in Bible Study Fellowship and an avid supporter of Gideon's International. He lovingly cared for Mom as her health failed but remained steadfast in his devotion both then, and through his recent trials, to the worship of God through the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Broadcast Ministry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel King Womack; parents, Frank and Cloie Marshall Womack; three brothers, Frank C. King Jr., Marshall Womack and William Womack; and one sister, Mary Sue Womack. He is survived by one brother, Jack Womack of Nashville, Tenn.; a widespread but close-knit extended family; and by five daughters and their families: Judy and Bill Springer of Jupiter, Fla., Cathy and John Webb of Little Rock, Barbara and Doyle Webb of Benton, Becky and Patrick Keogh of Little Rock, and Janis and Ray Cottle of Longview, Texas; seven grandchildren, Laura Webb Fout (Josh), Katherine Webb Quinn (Wesley), Christopher Webb, Justin Keogh (Stephanie), Alice Keogh Johnson (AJ), Anna Keogh, Stephanie Springer Transue; and six great-grandchildren, Trey and Paige Transue, Mason and Will Quinn, Holland Fout, and Isabelle Johnson. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the excellent medical teams at Arkansas Health Center, Baptist Health Systems, Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Select Specialty Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care of Dad. We are secure in the very real knowledge that Dad's struggle has ended and that he is now at peace. Our father was a Christian gentleman. We, his daughters, were nurtured by more than just his love. We were sustained by his wisdom, his modesty, his quiet dignity and moral fiber. He was truly our rock and our place of refuge. Dad was blessed to have gained many friends in his 85 years and he will be greatly missed by all. Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 from 4-6 p.m. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211 (501)224-8300. Memorial service will be Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. Memorials may be made to Gideons International (615-564-5000), Boy Scouts of America (501-664-4780 ext. 232), or Women & Children First, The Center Against Domestic Violence (800-332-4443). Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.