Harry Fletcher Sullards

Personal and Family Information

Harry was born on 3 Nov 1926 in Stuttgart, Arkansas County, Arkansas, the son of Harry F Sullards and Mary Schellharn.

He died on 19 Jan 2008 in Searcy, White County, Arkansas.

His wife was Sybil Simmons, who he married on 4 JUN 1949 in Tupelo Methodist Church, Tupelo Arkansas. Their only known child was Karen Lynn (1950-2023).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Multimedia

Sallie's Syb...

Sybil and Fl...

Sullards, Ha...

Obit-Sullard...

Notes

Note 1

H. Fletcher Sullards

died saturday Jan 19? 2008 from The Daily Citizen, Searcy, AR

Monday, January 21, 2008 6:01 PM CST

H. Fletcher Sullards was born Nov. 3, 1926 in Stuttgart, Ark. He was the only son of Harry F. Sullards, Sr. and Mary Schallhorn Sullards. His early years were spent in Arkansas County where he attended schools at St. Charles and DeWitt.

His family moved to Little Rock in 1936 when his father went to work for the State of Arkansas. Fletcher attended Little Rock Public Schools, and was an outstanding athlete and football player both at the Junior High, and Senior High School levels. He graduated from Little Rock High School in 1944 and entered the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship in the fall. He was called to active duty with the United States Army Air Corps in the spring of 1945 for a two-year tour of duty in the Aleutian Islands.

When he returned to the States, Fletcher chose to enroll at Arkansas State Teachers College in the fall of 1947 on a football scholarship. He played under Coach Howard Montgomery, as the blocking back in the single wing and called all the signals. He was also the place kicker, and became known as The Golden Toe of the AIC. This team went on to play in the Kickapoo Bowl in Wichita Falls, Texas. This past year the members of the team celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Fletcher met Sybil Simmons during her freshman year at ASTC. They were married on June 4, 1949 at the Tupelo Methodist Church. Fletcher's college career was once again cut short when he was called to active duty in July 1950 to serve in the Korean Conflict. He returned to the States in the fall of 1951. College had already started, and he was employed by David Paul Burton to be the manager of the Burton Mercantile and Gin Co. of Tupelo. He remained there until the summer of 1954 when he returned to ASTC to complete his degree. He graduated in the summer of 1955.

Mr. Sullards was hired by the Gillett Public Schools as the football coach. He had some outstanding teams and won the District 6B Championship in 1957. While at Gillett, he entered school administration, and received his Master of Education Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1960. The fall of 1960 he moved to DeWitt High school as Coach and Director of Activities. He spent three years at Dewitt, and in the summer of 1963 he became principal of Corning High School, where he became known as one of the most successful high school administrators.

In 1969, Mr. Sullards moved to Searcy as the High School Principal, and served in that capacity for five years. He was promoted to Director of Secondary Education, and Athletic Director. Later he became the Assistant Superintendent, and then, Interim Superintendent. He retired in 1988 after 37 years of working in the field of education.

He was always active in student activities and community involvement. He was a former member of Rotary Club, and Lions Club where he held various offices. Fletcher touched many lives during his lifetime, and will be sorely missed.

Fletcher was a lifelong Methodist and taught Sunday School. For many years he was a member of the official board and a delegate to the Annual Conference.

Mr. Sullards was an outstanding after dinner speaker, and was a guest speaker at many Arkansas events. He served as the host of the Searcy Chamber of Commerce Coffees until 1996. After retirement Fletcher was still active in many community affairs, and was honored by the Chamber of Commerce with their first Humanitarian Award.

He served as a member of the Searcy School Board, and was appointed to the Arkansas Board of Dental Examiners by Governor Bill Clinton. He worked for the Arkansas Senate as Sergeant at Arms and was honored by them in 1997 with Fletcher Sullards Day. Fletcher was always active in politics, and considered himself a lifelong ÒYellow Dog DemocratÓ.

In 1999, Fletcher was honored by the Searcy Public Schools when they named their new addition to Searcy High School as the Fletcher Sullards Annex. He and Mrs. Sullards were honored at the dedication of the Annex with a reception recognizing their many years of service to the Searcy Public Schools.

In 2004, Mr. Sullards was once again honored when he was inducted into the first class of the Searcy Education Foundation Hall of Honor.

Mr. Sullards is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sybil Simmons Sullards, his daughter, Karen L. Sullards of Little Rock, and a host of family and friends.

The family has requested memorials be made to the Sullards Education Fund, c/o University of Central Arkansas Foundation, P. O. Box 4986, Conway, AR 72035, or the First United Methodist Church, 304 N. Main St., Searcy, AR 72143.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Searcy with interment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Online guestbook www.RollerFuneralHomes.com