James Alonzo McLarty, Jr. was born February 14, 1918 at his parents’ home at 303 S. Pine St .in Hope, Arkansas. He died October 31, 2012.
Mr. McLarty was the fifth child born to James Alonzo McLarty, Sr. and Bertha Ward McLarty, of Hope.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 70 years, Muriel June Webb McLarty, his parents and his siblings, which included Thomas Franklin McLarty, Sr., Snow White McLarty Steward, Kate McLarty Turner, James William McLarty.
Mr. McLarty was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Navy and stationed on the island of Guam. He was a member of Whitfield Masonic Lodge #239 and served as Worthy Master in 1953 and, for many years, as treasurer, then as Chaplain. He was also a member of the Scimitar Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Little Rock. He was also a member of the Eastern Star, Arkadelphia chapter and a member of the American Legion, Post #12, where he served as Commander in 1953.
Mr. McLarty was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hope since 1925. He served as chairman of the ushers for thirty-one years. He was a charter member of the Century Bible Class, where he served as President in 1953.
In 1956, Mr. McLarty opened the James McLarty Garage at 209 South Elm Street, an automotive repair shop which he operated for thirty years. He joined the faculty of Red River Vocational Technical School – now UACCH – in 1987 as an instructor in diesel mechanics. He resigned in 2009, due to failing health.
Mr. McLarty married Muriel June Webb on February 14, 1941.
He is survived by his three sons: James Alonzo McLarty III and his wife, Sally, of Newport, Arkansas; Anthony Ward (Tony) McLarty and his wife, Linda, of St. Charles, Missouri; Philip Webb McLarty and his wife, Kathy, of Hope; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home in Hope from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.
A Memorial Service will be at First United Methodist Church, Hope, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, preceded by a private interment service at Rose Hill Cemetery.
In 1968, I had a 1965 VW Beetle and spent time at Mr. McLarty's shop..as a former Navy man himself, and his finding out I was enlisting in the Navy He spent a lot of time teaching me to work on my own vehicle…He was at Red River Vo-tech when I got out of the Navy and attended the Carpentry and Elelctrician classes there…we continued our friendship….Hope is minus an awesome mentor, teacher, and friend…I know he is resting in the Lords arms. Thank you for your friendship!
I myself also have many many memories of this man. Never seen him angry or upset always quiet & calm along with Lee Little he was teaching my Advanced Diesel Mechanics class at RR in 85/86. Took time to "learn me" on those damned VW Rabbits P/U trucks.