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Submitted: 12/4/13 • Approved: 12/5/13 • Last Updated: 12/8/13 • R962860-G0-S3
January 24, 1956 - April 13, 2012
*Obituary (Humphrey Funeral Home)
Mike McAlister, 56, of Russellville, AR, died Friday, April 13, 2012 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. The son of Charles and Bobbye Sturgis McAlister, he was born January 24, 1956 in Russellville. He graduated from Russellville High School in 1974 and from Arkansas Tech University in 1978 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He and Terry Reames were married on May 20, 1978 at the Russellville First Assembly of God Church.
Professionally, Mike was employed by Tyson Foods for over 28 years. Mike joined Tasty Bird Foods July 8, 1980 which later was purchased and became part of the Tyson Foods Family. Mike started at the Clarksville Processing Plant as a supervisor and later was promoted and transferred to the Tyler Road facility in Russellville to run a new product line. Mike continued his Tyson career by serving as Plant Manager at the North Little Rock facility, later returning to Russellville to serve as Manager of the Tyler Road Plant, and then as manager of the Tyson Valley Distribution Center.
In 1993 Mike received special recognition from the Tyson Foods executive management team for managing a total evacuation of the North Little Rock Plant during a fire that completely destroyed the plant. The citation he received reads that "the Tyson Fire Force Team evacuated the building in five minutes without a single injury". When a similar fire at a competitor's plant in Alabama resulted in several deaths, Mike was asked in 1995 to testify before a Senate subcommittee in Washington D.C. investigating worksite safety practices.
In January of 2001, Mike received additional recognition from the Arkansas Department of Labor's director, James Salkeld, for two million safe work hours without a lost-time accident at the Tyson Valley Distribution Center in Russellville. Mike retired from Tyson Foods in 2008.
Mike's strong work ethic also benefited the community. When the 1st 206th Field Artillery Battalion returned home from Iraq in 2005, the Pope County Salute to Freedom Task Force planned a celebration. Mike, Terry, and his mother Bobbye McAlister cooked chicken and barbeque for more than 600 soldiers and their families.
Mike volunteered with the Russellville Morning Rotary Club to construct a 30' X 66' community pavilion and a handicap accessible fishing pier at Pleasant View Park on Lake Dardanelle. In 2006, the pavilion was dedicated in memory of his mother.
Mike was a member of the DART Committee of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce and was the “chief” cook at the Great Arkansas Clean-Up / National Public Land's Day each fall where he cooked Tyson chicken for all the volunteers. He also cooked for the Tri-Peaks Challenge bike race, Crawford Elementary, AR Tech University, and helped as a volunteer in other capacities as well. He was a great community supporter, making himself available for numerous volunteer activities.
Even in retirement, Mike continued to use his management skills. He was a co-owner of McG Holdings, LLC in Russellville. Since 2010 he has worked as a facilities consultant with Humphrey Funeral Service in Russellville.
Most of all, Mike loved being with members of his family and his extended family, which included: friends, colleagues, Sunday school class, neighbors, and classmates. At the family farm, Mike built a shooting range, campsite, and trails that he encouraged family and friends to use. His skills and talents blessed many lives; his servanthood was limitless. A neighbor's car would be fixed, a broken trailer welded, concrete repaired, cabinets finished and installed, pipes repaired, usually without being asked.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bobbye McAlister; and his father-in-law, Carlton Reames. He attended First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife and sweetheart since she was 16, Terry McAlister, Russellville; two sons, Dr. Brad McAlister, Texarkana, TX, and Josh McAlister R.N., Russellville; His father, Charles McAlister, Russellville; his sister, Charlene (Steve) Edgar, Broken Arrow, OK; a niece, Kathryn (J.C.) Deleon, Prairie Village, KS; his mother-in-law, Lawatha Reames; a sister-in-law, Tracy (Larry) Roberts; a niece and nephew, MacKenzie Roberts and Drew Roberts all of Russellville.
Funeral will be at 4:00PM, Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Humphrey Chapel. Aaron Duvall and Rev. Charlie McAlister will officiate. A private family burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Pall Bearers will be Drew Roberts, Larry Roberts, B.J. McAlister, Chuck Gordon, Terry Russell, Joe Alpe, and Mitch Ellenburg.
Memorials may be made to Main Street Mission, 1110 East 2nd Street, Russellville, AR 72801 . Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.
Contributed on 12/4/13
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Record #: 962860