Rickey Wayne Gwaltney

Rickey Wayne Gwaltney. 67 of Calico Rock, was born October 3, 1949 in Walnut Ridge and died early Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016 at the Calico Rock Community Medical Center. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marlene Wilcoxson Gwaltney and canine companion, Stitch; three sisters, Gayla (Robert) Warden of Hoxie, Kayla Ellis of Mount Airy, NC, and Lilly Roseanne (Eric) Bailey of Moriarty, NM; a brother, Randy Gwaltney of Moriarty, NM; a sister-n-law, Patsy Gwaltney of Walnut Ridge; many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Grace Whaley Gwaltney Ellis and stepfather, Henry Ellis Jr; his father, Elwood Gwaltney; two brothers, Mickey Lynn Gwaltney and Gary Gwaltney. Rickey graduated from ASU in Jonesboro with a Bachelor's Degree in marketing. He served in the Army National Guard of Arkansas. He owned and operated Gwaltney Wood Floors for 20 years. He raised, kept and rode horses for 40 years on his and Marlene’s farm at Gorby Road. His Sassafras Hill Farms in most recent years has provided quality Bermuda hay to many ranchers. A Cowboy can be defined as a man that can “tuff up, get back on your horse, one not to back down, never give up but always doing the best you can with the hand you are dealt.” Rickey was a cowboy with integrity. He was also an artist. Whether he was laying wood floors, building cabinets, raising horses or farming he did his absolute honest best. His college education gave him the skills to run his businesses but his spirit made his businesses into art. His floors were not just wood floors, his hay was highly sought after because of its quality – because it mattered to Rickey. Rickey’s friends always knew while in Rickey’s company they would hear a story, share a kind word or a boost to “get back on your horse.” No one would ever see Rickey that you didn’t see “Stitch”. Rickey even took Stitch to be “Blessed” by Dr. Campbell twice at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Calico Rock where Rickey and Marlene was members for many years. Rickey and Marlene spent 41 years enjoying their farm. This cowboy’s soul mate shared all of his dreams. Many of those dreams his friends watched come to fruition. Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 6 P.M. till 8 P.M. in the Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico Rock. Funeral Service will be Friday, December 30, 2016 at 1 P.M. in the Calico Rock Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Wayne Wood and Dr. Tom Campbell officiating. Pallbearers will be Chris Warden, Tom Coley, Lorne Johnson, Ray Cragle, Steve and Charlie Eldridge. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Brown, Jason Klipfel and Eric Knight. Interment will follow in the Palestine Cemetery near Calico Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Calico Rock Cumberland Presbyterian Church or Palestine Cemetery Association Fund at the First National Bank of Izard County.

Rickey Wayne Gwaltney

October 3, 1949 - December 24, 2016