Michael Richard Smith

MICHAEL RICHARD SMITH, 79, of Little Rock, Ark., died March 25, 2018. He was born July 4, 1938 in Cando, N.D. He spent his youth in Little Rock, Ark., and attended and graduated high school at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala. He attended the University of Arkansas majoring in business and was rush chairman of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he served in the Air National Guard and started his professional career at Dabbs Sullivan, Trulock Company before joining Stephens Inc. as a bond salesman. At Stephens, Mike honed his exceptional critical thinking, relationship, and salesmanship skills under the direction of the firm's two founders, Jack and Witt Stephens. He later started the firm's equity underwriting capabilities, with his relationship with Sam Walton and the initial public offering of Walmart Stores in 1970 at the age of 32. Over his 50-plus year career with Stephens, Mike led countless debt and equity transactions including financings for most all of the state's leading public companies, including Walmart, JB Hunt, Tyson Foods, Arkansas Freightways, Acxiom and Alltel. Mike loved spending time outdoors with family and friends, enjoying tennis, golf and especially hunting and fishing. He was past president of the Arkansas Tennis Association and the Smiths were Tennis Family of the Year in 1980. He left his family and friends with many great memories and stories. The family would appreciate hearing any of these stories you would be willing to share about Mike. If so, please send them to smithmemories@icloud.com. Mike was predeceased by his parents, Winifred Langley Smith and Dr. Thermon B. Smith. He is survived by his precious wife of 57 years, Patty; his son Michael R. Smith, Jr. (Rachel); his daughter Amy Karen Smith, all of Little Rock, Ark.; his two grandchildren, Lt. Michael R. Smith III of Shreveport, La., and Carter Benjamin Smith of Fayetteville, Ark.; his two sisters Barbara Dunn (Jim) of Tulsa, Okla., and Carolyn Jordan (Lyle) of Nashville, Tenn.; and his brother Nat Smith (Stephanie) of Monroe, La. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 4 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation/Michael R. Smith Family Endowment, 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.