of Little Rock, AR

January 20, 1946 - December 24, 2024

Byron Scott Southern, age 78, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord, December 24, 2024. He was born January 20, 1946 in Kennett, Missouri to Beckham and Martha Jones Southern.

Byron was a leader and embraced life's challenges. He was President of the Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club and earned the level of Sapphire Life Master. Always a gentleman at the table, he was known for being sharply dressed and kind to other players. Byron practiced law for 51 years, including as general counsel for the Amateur Athletic Union and Delta Dental. He was a brilliant negotiator and deal maker as well as a real estate broker and a mentor to newer lawyers. Byron got his private pilot's license at a young age before flying professionally, earning thousands of hours of flight time, working as an instructor and earning his ATP certificate. Byron was an excellent athlete. As a skier, he spent many seasons in the advanced terrain of Crested Butte, Colorado. He had a lifelong love of golf, a tournament player and winner of many awards from a young age, as well as a long time member of Pleasant Valley Country Club. Byron was a beloved husband and father, guiding his close family with love and he will be profoundly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Beckham and Martha Southern and sister, Kathy; parents-in-law, J. O. and Theone James; brothers-in-law, Judge Dennis James and Dr. Roland McArthur. Byron is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda; children (Judge) Niki and Scott; sister, Teri and her husband, Bart Hanners; sister, Christi and husband, Morris Huffstutler; sister-in-law, Dr. Julia McArthur Redding and husband, Ben; brother-in-law, John James and wife, Nina; brother-in-law, Danny James and wife, Terri; sister-in-law, Lindy Fair and a host of relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Byron's name to Asbury United Methodist Church, Community Bible Study and The Curtis Finch Bridge House. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Dr, Little Rock, AR 72212.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com