Alexander Dounson Leftwich

Alexander Dounson Leftwich, 95, formerly of Forrest City, Ark., died Aug. 19, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. Born Aug. 2, 1918, in Altheimer, Ark., Alex was the son of the late Joel Addison Leftwich Sr. and Elizabeth Hefner Leftwich. Mr. Leftwich was a life-long employee of Arkansas Power and Light, but his passion was sports. While growing up in Pine Bluff, he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball and was especially proud that both he and his younger brother Tommy were members of the famous 1939 Zebra High School National Championship team. During WWII, he served in the Army Air Corps with the 54th Troop Carriers and continued to be active in sports, both as a participant and eventually as an official. After the war and his return to Arkansas, Mr. Leftwich continued officiating until 1990 and was instrumental in training and mentoring teams of new officials. He was involved in the organization of the Arkansas Officials Association and served on the AOA Board for many years. In 1999, he was inducted into the AOA Hall of Fame. Mr. Leftwich's love of sports and working with young people extended to other areas as well. He had a long and active association with the Arkansas Junior Chamber of Commerce. He held several offices, served on the Jaycee State Board, was a National Director, and was instrumental in organizing new chapters in Eastern Arkansas. Along with fellow Jaycees and other interested residents, he worked to establish and operate Forrest City's Little League Baseball program and was head of the Little League Commission for more than twenty years. An avid and competitive golfer, Alex organized and taught countless summer golf clinics for young people at the Forrest City Country Club and also served as club president during a time of major expansion. He and his family were active members of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, Alex was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Katherine Payne Leftwich, and his siblings, Joel Addison Leftwich Jr., Margaret Ann Leftwich Buckner, Mildred Leftwich, Harry Lee Leftwich, Thomas Frederick Leftwich, and Janet Harrison Leftwich McElroy. He is survived by his daughter, Katherine Leftwich Knight and her husband, Henry S. Knight Jr., of Columbia, S.C.; his granddaughter, Katherine Merrill Knight and her husband, Sean Fitz McNally of Washington, D.C.; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their families. Burial will take place at Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27. A memorial service will be held at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Forrest City at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, 402 E. Dillard Avenue, Forrest City, Ark. 72335.