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Submitted: 12/27/22 • Approved: 12/29/22 • Last Updated: 2/8/23 • R1462756-G0-S3
Jul 8, 1932 - Jun 5,2013
Thomas Randolph (Randy) Tardy, was born July 8, 1932 in Helena, Arkansas to Ralph and Marion Hicks Tardy.
He died June 5, 2013 In Little Rock, Arkansas.
He grew up in West Helena, attended Sacred Heart Academy He graduated from Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama with a BS in Commerce. He did post graduate study in Economics at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
He began his news career in Junior High School when he took over a Helena World paper route. His first writing assignment was sports stories about his High School basketball team. He returned to Helena in 1957 where he took a job as the first full- time news director for radio Station KFFA He remained there until coming to Little Rock in July 1959 as reporter and later editor and news director for KTHV Channel 11 Television.
He left Channel 11 in 1966 to become Manager of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs for the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. He left the Chamber of Commerce in 1974 and after a year as Information Officer for the American Revolution Bi-centennial Commission, accepted a position as business writer for the Arkansas Democrat. He retired from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in 2001, 25 years to the day after he went to work there.
In retirement, he became involved with the Catoosa, OK based Arkansas River Historical Society, where he served as a director, vice president and from 2008-2011 as president. He was currently serving as Chairman of the Board.
A long time member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, he served as a lay-reader at the 5 o'clock Sunday service until his illness precluded this. He was a charter member and past president of the Helena-West Helena Jaycees, a charter member of the Little Rock Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, a member of the American Philatelic Society and a member and past president of Arkansas Railroad Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Elizabeth, one son Edwin Randolph (Connie) of Roland, a brother Charles Tardy and sister Margaret Ann Howard both of El Dorado, a step sister Laura of Marianna and a lifelong friend, Walter Walker, of Little Rock with whom he has been in constant contact since their meeting in 1939 on their first day of school together.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi with the Rev. Danny Schieffler officiating with Interment in St. Mark's Columbarium. Reception to follow.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, The Arkansas River Historical Society, The Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS, The Arkansas Railroad Club or the Charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Dr Marino of UAMS, the staff of Hospice Home Care, and Mel Johnson, a close family friend for the level of care provided during this time.
Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth.
Contributed on 12/27/22 by eagle12953
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Record #: 1462756