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Submitted: 7/20/17 • Approved: 8/27/19 • Last Updated: 8/30/19 • R1188564-G0-S3
January 23, 1928 - March 14, 2017
*Obituary
Dr. Ralph Scott Boaz, 89, of Magnolia, Ark., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Paula Haile Boaz; his wonderful children, Sarah Lyn Boaz Webb, Ralph Scott Boaz (Jr.) Irwin, Rodney E. Boaz II, Charles Andrew "Andy" Boaz, and Dr. Lesley Boaz Sharon; seven grandchildren, Scotty Gaddis, Carly Diane Boaz, Mason Paul Boaz, Carson Haynes Irwin, Sarah Evelyn Irwin, Robert Scott Irwin, and Lahav Hilah Sharon. One daughter, Jan Dilly Boaz Irwin, predeceased him in death, as did his twin brother, Col. Rodney Boaz, and their parents, Col. and Mrs. Ralph Adkins Boaz.
Scott and Rod were born in Little Rock, Ark., on January 23, 1928, the twin sons of Col. and Mrs. Ralph Adkins Boaz. Scott, Rod and their father Ralph, all together, served 83 years in the military: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Scott lettered three years in football, basketball, and track as a Hot Springs Trojan. Scott's greatest claim to fame was that he was the only male Arkansas Razorback cheerleader (up to that time) to serve four years as a cheerleader. He was also head cheerleader for two years.
Dr. Boaz served in the United States Navy during the last two months of World War II, at which time he served in the Navy Intelligence as a radio intercept operator, tracing Russian submarines around the Pacific Ocean. Scott was stationed at the "garden-spot-of-the-Pacific" (Adak, Alaska). For his outstanding and meritorious service, he was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal, and received four years of the G.I. Bill that covered his college costs at the University of Arkansas, where he was a proud member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After four years in the United States Air Force as a Russian linguist, Scott Boaz earned a Ph.D degree in Economics and Finance under one of the outstanding professors at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Harold Andrew Dulan. Scott's son Andy was named for Dr. Dulan. Dr. Boaz taught for 30 years, and chaired the Department of Economics and Finance for 12 years at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark. Dr. Boaz also served as a forensic economist in over 80 cases in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Louisiana.
Scott coached his sons, Rod and Andy, and other young men, in both football and basketball at the Magnolia Boys Club for several years. He was also a member of the Magnolia Rotary Club from 1963 until his death, and was honored as a Life Member in 2013. He seldom missed a Razorback football game, at least in Little Rock. Scott was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia, and a long-time member of a breakfast group of Southern gentlemen called the "Muffin Men," lead by the esteemed Archie Monroe. Scott and Paula were charter members of a group of close friends called "The Bridge and Supper Club."
The family greatly appreciates the dedicated care provided by Dr. John Alexander and the staff at Magnolia Heath and Rehabilitation.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Mike Morgan and Rev. Ric Webb officiating, with family visitation to follow at the church fellowship hall. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Jim Kimbell, T.G. Connelly, Dr. Larry Franks, Steve Nipper, Jim Downs, Dr. David Rankin, and the members of the Muffin Men.
Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Razorback Foundation, Southern Arkansas University Foundation, Magnolia, Ark., or the First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia, Ark. To sign the online guestbook visit www.lewisfuneralhome.biz.
Contributed on 7/20/17 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1188564