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Submitted: 8/6/20 • Approved: 8/6/20 • Last Updated: 6/29/23 • R1331946-G1331946-S3
Edgar
March 11, 1927 - March 23, 2016
Joy
March 11, 1931 - October 18, 2006
Married: August 10, 1951
Edgar R. “Buddy” Packard, 89, of Camden, passed away on Wednesday, March 23. He was the son of the late Edwin R. and Josephine Hale Packard.
Buddy was a World War II veteran, entering the U.S. Army Air Corps after graduating from Camden High School. After completing flight training in California, he was assigned to the Pacific Division, Air Transport Command, airlifting emergency supplies to military installations in the Asiatic Pacific. After discharge from the Air Corps in 1947, he entered the University of Arkansas and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He married his hometown sweetheart, Joy Lee Voss, in 1951. Soon after, he returned to active duty during the Korean War. They relocated to Dayton, Ohio, where Buddy was assigned as a Missile Project Officer to the newly created Guided Missile Branch at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After the Korean peace agreement, he resigned from active duty as an Air Force Major and returned to Camden. He founded Packard’s, Inc., an office supply and printing business, and served as its President and principle owner until his retirement.
Buddy was a lifelong and active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on the Finance and Administrative boards; as President of his Sunday School class; and in the Men’s Choir. He was active in the community as well, having served on the Camden Civil Service Commission, including 6 years as its Chairman; the Board of Directors of the Camden Chamber of Commerce; and the Board of Directors of the Camden Country Club. He also served as President of the Arkansas Office Machine Dealers Association.
Buddy’s love for flying continued for years. He helped organize the Ouachita Flying Squadron, which provided many young hometown pilots access to aircraft to build their flight time and increase their enjoyment in flying. He was an avid Razorback fan, and traveled with Joy on many UA Alumni sponsored football and basketball trips. During his retirement, he and Joy enjoyed going on cruises with friends and spending time with family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Joy Lee Voss Packard. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Lee Shirey, and her husband, David; grandson, Jason Shirey, and his wife A.J.; granddaughter, Morgan Lee Shirey; great grandsons, Spencer and Ben; sister, Barbara Cathey, and her husband, Donald; and a host of cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 26, at the First United Methodist Church, 121 Harrison Street in Camden with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive guests at Proctor Funeral Home on Friday, March 25 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Camden or the charity of one’s choice.
Contributed on 8/6/20 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1331946