Obituaries

Arvel "Buddy" Leo Acoach

Photo of Arvel "Buddy" Leo Acoach
Arvel "Buddy" Leo Acoach Jr., who resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Monday, January 22, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born August 19, 1946, in West Helena, Arkansas to the late Arvel Leo Acoach, Sr. and Marguerite Mae (Schieffler) Acoach. He was 71 years old. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Dale (Flanagan) Acoach; a brother, Robert "Bobby" Acoach; and his grandparents, Jerry Mariah & Catherine Acoach and Robert & Nellie Schieffler. A 1964 graduate of West Helena High School, and a 1968 ROTC graduate of Arkansas Tech University, Buddy was a retired State Trooper for the Arkansas State Police. He worked 27 years for the Arkansas State Police in numerous positions, Internal Affairs, Fire Arms Instructor, SRT Sniper, Special Response Team Coordinator and Haz-Mat Coordinator. He graduated from the FBI Academy National Academy in 1975, served 7 years as Deputy Federal Security Director in Fort Smith, 6 years with Department of Energy at Fort Chaffee, and 5 years with T.S.A. at Fort Smith Regional Airport. Buddy was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a decorated soldier, receiving two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star Medal with Valor and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal (2 total medals), Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross for Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Presidential Unit Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was an Airborne Ranger who also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Reserve Medal, Air National Guard Service Ribbon, Security Police Master Qualification Badge, Security Police Combat Tactics, Security Police Staff Officer, OJT Commander/Staff Officer, and Humanitarian Service Medal. Buddy retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years of service and served as the Commander of both the 188th Fighter Wing of the Arkansas National Guard and 554th Silver Flag Alpha Security Police Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base for the Air Force Reserve. An Eagle Scout, Buddy's commitment to the community never waivered. He was a member of Leadership Fort Smith, Rotary Club, District President of Mid-America Exchange Club, President of Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, President of Fort Smith Morning Exchange Club, served on the Board of Trustees of the Hamilton House Child Safety Center, served as an usher for Arkansas Razorbacks football & basketball games, a huge supporter of Charleston School District & Charleston Tiger Football Foundation, and he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Charleston. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 29th, at Community Bible Church at 9201 Dallas St. Fort Smith, Arkansas. Burial of cremains, with full military honors and Arkansas State Police Honor Guard, will be at 12 noon at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lois (Oxford) Acoach; his childen, John Acoach and wife Melinda of Fayetteville, Sarah Anne Fritschie and husband Eric of North Little Rock, Autumn Moore of Fort Smith, Leah Acoach of Rogers, Dusty Smith and husband Bryan of Charleston and Wendi Curtis and husband Daniel of Charleston; 11 grandchildren, Rebekah Fritschie, Emma Fritschie, Jordan Moore, Allie Moore, Ike Moore, Christopher Smith and wife Mindy, Kayla Smith, Danielle Curtis, Dalton Curtis, and Matthew Curtis; two great-grandchildren, Caynen Smith and Ellie Smith; six cherished dogs, Flash, Shorty, Lilly, Bonnie, Bandit and Sparky. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ebbing Air National Guard Base 188th Wing, Arkansas State Police, and Exchange Club. The family will visit with friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston. In lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions can be made to Hamilton House Child Safety Center at 2713 S. 74th St.-Suite 103 Fort Smith, Ark. 72903. To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

Published January 26, 2018

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