Wali Caradine

Wali Caradine, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 10th, U of A's first African-American graduate of the Fay Jones School of Architecture. Wali leaves behind a wife, Dr. Delbra Caradine; an adult daughter, Ashley Caradine; and an adult son, Reed Caradine. After graduating from the Fay Jones School of Architecture, Caradine received additional training at the Construction Management Institute in Dallas. Over the course of his prolific career, Wali Caradine made contributions to both the design and construction industries. He began his career as a designer at Pat Kelley Magruder Architects in West Memphis, Ark. before eventually venturing out on his own. His first business Design and Construction Associates was founded in 1978, with partner Sam Young and he became one of the largest minority-owned contracting firms in Arkansas. In the mid-1990s, Wali returned to his first love-architecture and design. He and Ron Bene' Woods partnered to form Woods Caradine Architects, a relationship which lasted over a decade and participated in notable projects such as two academic centers for University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, The William J. Clinton Presidential Center, The Statehouse Convention Center Expansion and the Pathfinder Complex in Jacksonville, Ark. In 2007, Wali left woods Caradine Architects to form Caradine Companies where he practiced until his retirement earlier this year. His notable projects under the umbrella of Caradine Companies included: Phase I of the University of Arkansas Greek Village, opened in Conway in the fall of 2015. His company has also worked with multiple churches in the area to remodel or design a new structure. He often said this is what God wanted him to be doing. Wali Caradine was loved and cherished by all who knew him. His gentle temperament, generosity and concern for others was demonstrated in tangible ways. Wali served as a mentor to many minority building contractors in Central Arkansas. In 1986, he founded the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors. In a recent write-up of Caradine's career, central Arkansas contractor and mentee of Caradine, Dexter Doyne recalled Wali as "one of the most unselfish people Ihave ever met, willing to give of himself and his resources to those who desire it." Wali's family is having a private, family only burial. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pathfinder Inc., one of Wali's most cherished organizations. Pathfinder, Inc., a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the development and implementation of individualized strategies designed to enable citizens with developmental disabilities, and/or behavioral health needs, total access to community life. In lieu of flowers, make checks payable to: Pathfinder, Inc., P.0. Box 647 Jacksonville, Ark. 72078 in honor of Wali Caradine. Arrangements by:Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305.