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.
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31 Condolence(s)
Susan Haley Betts
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
My deepest sorrow at learning of Byron's passing. My father spoke of Byron often before his passing in 2003. Lots of memories of working together, Crested Butte, and other shenanigans together.
Hugs and peace to all of you.
LeighAnne Russell
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Linda, please know my thoughts & prayers are with your during this difficult time.
Kathy Searcy
Sunday, January 19, 2025
With love and prayers as we remember Byron. What a wonderful gentleman and excellent legal boss. I am thankful for his friendship, and especially grateful for the friendship he and his loving parents enjoyed with my late mother, Betty Jagoditsh. They all loved playing bridge with excellence and fun.
Dear Linda, Scott, and Nicki, I pray happy memories will fill your spirits as you grieve his unexpected passing. I am so sorry, and I hurt for each one of you. He was a special person, gifted in many ways. May His presence bring you peace and comfort during the days ahead as we pray for you at Community Bible Study.
Kim & Steve Hockersmith
Monday, January 13, 2025
Linda
We continue to pray for you Scott and all the family.
Mary Bentley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
My deepest sympathy to my desr friend, Linda, and her family at this very sad time.
You are all in my prayers
Rest in peace, Byron
Mike Ellis
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Byron and have been friends for over 60 years, will miss my old friend every day. Mike Ellis
Don Curdie
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
To Linda and Family:
Bless you all in this time of sorrow. I met Byron at Pul County Pros Attorneys Office probably in 1973, as Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. He was a very personable and intelligent lawyer. We had alot of fun double dating , traveling and talking. He and Linda were so much fun together ! Id like to know when there is a memorial service
Don Curdie
JAMES W. STANLEY, JR & WIFE, AUDREY
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
LINDA,
AND ALL THE SOUTHERN CLAN --
DEATH IS NOT TO BE FEARED WHEN AS FINE A MAN AS BYRON WAS, HAS NOW BEEN GRANTED THE PROMISED REWARD OF HEAVEN. SMILE AND THINK OF THE JOY, FOR BRYON JOINED IN JESUS'S GLORIOUS BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH THE ANGELS, SAINTS AND ALL YOUR BELOVED FAMILY WHO HAVE GONE-ON-BEFORE. WE HOPE THE THOUGHT OF BYRON BEING IN PARADISE GIVES YOU A GREAT SOLACE.
WE SEND YOU A BIG HUG ALONG WITH THE PROMISE OF PRAYERS.
Gus Allen
Monday, December 30, 2024
My sympathies to Linda, Niki, and Scott in this difficult time. He was a good man and partner for over Forty Years. I thank God for Byron’s salvation and may he RIP.
Ben and Antoinette DuBose AAU
Monday, December 30, 2024
Our prayers and condolences to Linda and family
Amy Brown
Monday, December 30, 2024
Sending our condolences. Byron was a good man.
Becky and Smitty Burgess
Monday, December 30, 2024
Linda, Scott and Niki, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May your cherished memories of Byron comfort each of you. He will most certainly be missed in New Directions.
Becky and Smitty Burgess
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Linda, Scott and Niki, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May your cherished memories of Byron comfort each of you. He will most certainly be missed in New Directions.
J B Mirza
Sunday, December 29, 2024
My words are not enough to convey my sorrow for Byron’s loss.
Byron was a gentle soul and will be missed by me.
I send my prayers and love to Linda and to everyone that Byron loved.
Jo Mirza
Annette Jackson Hawkins
Sunday, December 29, 2024
So sorry to hear about Byron’s death. Linda, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Annette
Charles Glasier
Sunday, December 29, 2024
So very sorry for your loss.
Rose Mary Miller-Fason
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Southern Family,
Our family friendship with Byron goes back to about 1966 when Byron moved to Arkadelphia. He was best man in my wedding in 1969. He taught my dad to fly, they played bridge and golf together and we shared many meals together. He was a good, kind and gentle man. May he RIP
Katherine Fakouri
Sunday, December 29, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. He was a wonderful man and always showed such grace and kindness.
Gus Allen
Sunday, December 29, 2024
My sympathies to Linda, Niki, and Scott in this difficult time. He was a good man and partner for over Forty Years. I thank God for Byron’s salvation and may he RIP.
Kay Nichols
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Byron was such a sweet and friendly person and will be greatly missed. My prayers are with all of the family.
Carol Heavin
Sunday, December 29, 2024
I feel so fortunate to have known Byron. He was a marvelous bridge mentor/teacher, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to play with him every Wednesday. My thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and his family in their loss. He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
Dick Heil
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Byron was a true gentleman. Always had a smile and a kind word. The Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club has lost an outstanding member. Byron will be long remembered, memory cherished.
Glenn Ballard
Sunday, December 29, 2024
May the healing love of our Lord provide peace for family and friends.
Betty Jean Fleming Hendricks
Saturday, December 28, 2024
I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Byron Southern.
My deepest sympathy goes to Linda and family, with my
heartfelt prayers and love.
Tommy and Mary Jo Campbell
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Prayers for the family. We are very sorry to hear this.
Wade Wilson
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Loved Byron. He was always so very kind to me. Going to miss him.
Julia Mcarthur
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Rest in peace. We will miss you. Love, Julia and your Florida family.
Steve & Donna Droke
Saturday, December 28, 2024
So shocked to learn of Byron’s passing. So sorry for your loss. I had last spoken with Byron a couple weeks ago.
Sharron Gargas
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Love and prayers to all of you. May many great memories fill your heart.
Hugs and love
Sharron
Robbin Sue Mitchell
Saturday, December 28, 2024
So sorry for your loss. I graduated with Byron, from high school, and remember some of those school days. He was a nice young man and later in life a fine man.
Danny Keith James
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Love & prayers. Danny & Terrie.