of Benton, AR

June 20, 1938 - November 7, 2023

Mr. Paul Sanford McCormack, Sr. died November 7, 2023 in Little Rock. The family invites you to join them for a graveside service at 12:00 p.m. noon, on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Mountain Home Cemetery.

Paul was born June 20, 1938 in McKinney, Texas to Reverend John Meeks McCormack, II and Iva Leonora Sanford both of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Paul called numerous places "home" during his childhood as his father, a Methodist minister, was assigned pastorates in Little Rock, Magnolia, Jonesboro and Pine Bluff, where he graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1956 before attending Southern State College in Magnolia.

In March 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Thelma Gail (TG) Lindsey. He pursued his love of land and agriculture for the following 10 years growing cotton and soybeans on several tracts of land in the Moscow area south of Pine Bluff. In 1966, Paul was honored to be named Arkansas' Young Farmer of the Year. They were blessed with 4 children during those years and were actively involved in the Pine Bluff social scene, the First United Methodist Church and the Trinity Episcopal Elementary School.

In 1970, the family moved to Mountain Home where he began a career in real estate. His primary interest was land and ranches and he was involved in the development and sale of large acreages along the AR/MO state line. During those years, he enjoyed developing a homesite off Military Road south of town. He was always happiest outside and his years in Mountain Home offered plenty of opportunities for boating on the lakes, trout fishing and furthering his lifelong love of Tennessee Walking horses. He spent many weekends on infamous canoe trips with family and friends. As a long-time volunteer with the youth group at First United Methodist Church, he made fond memories of cooking pancakes for fundraisers and serving as "chief bus driver" for the group's activities, performances and summer mission trips.

Following a few years in Ft. Smith and Jonesboro, Paul moved to Benton in 1991. He was employed by and later retired from the Benton School District. After joining the First United Methodist Church in Benton, he met and fell in love with Betty Bassett and they enjoyed a wonderful life together for more than 30 years. Some highlights of those years include seeing the arrival of 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, numerous trips with Paul's siblings and their spouses and several international trips and cruises with friends. His retirement gave him time to again enjoy his love of horses and develop his woodworking skills.

Paul is survived by Betty Bassett of Benton and her son, Jay Bassett of Little Rock; sister, Jaunice and Richard Griffin of Ft. Smith; brother, Joe and Maida McCormack of Joliet, IL; brother, Dean McCormack of Benton; plus nieces and nephews, Rick Griffin, Greg Griffin, Jill Griffin, Deanna McCormack, Meredith McCormack and Nancy Trojanowski.

His children are Paul (Sandy) McCormack, Jr. and Gretchen of Waco, TX, William Meeks McCormack and Christie of Ft. Smith, Lindsey Gail Fisher of Bentonville and John Meeks McCormack, III and Deana of Little Rock. The grandchildren are Nick Smith, Wes McCormack, Joseph Fisher, Brandal McCormack, Erin (Fisher) Stevens, Clark McCormack, Arden (McCormack) Roeder, Chase Garner, Eden McCormack, Evan McCormack and Haven McCormack. His great-grandchildren are Braden Jones, Barrett Smith, Macie Stevens, Paul McCormack III, Hudson Stevens, Jessica Roeder, Molly McCormack, George McCormack, Heidi Roeder and Cole McCormack.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Regina Burg for the loving care she provided over the last several months.

Donations in Paul's memory may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Benton, to Easter Seals of Arkansas, or to the charity of your choice.

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