of Little Rock, AR

May 18, 1941 - October 20, 2021

Robert Louis Lanford, 80, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away peacefully on October 20, 2021 in his home with his devoted wife Gaye by his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lorraine and Louis Lanford. He is survived by his son Matt Lanford and husband Michael Young of Las Vegas, Nevada, his daughter Kate Beal and her husband Stuart, grandchildren Alex Beal and his wife Monica, Philip Beal and Thomas Beal all of Midland, TX, and his sister Judy Lanford of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bob was born on May 18, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended Central High school but graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1960. Bob graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.S./B.A. in Economics/Accounting in 1964 where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. It is here where he met the love of his life Carolyn Gaye Phillips. They married on July 7, 1964 in Miami, Oklahoma. Two years later they had their eldest son Matthew Louis and three years later their daughter Kathryn Larue to complete their family of 4.

Bob was a Certified Public Accountant and Partner with Russell Brown and Company from 1964-1981. He then went to work for Arthur Young & Company in their auditing department from 1981-1985. From there he went on to become President and Co-Owner of Hill, Crawford and Lanford, Inc. and in 1995 went to work for Stearne Agee, & Leach, Inc. as Managing Director. He concluded his career by serving as Sr. Vice President for the Private Client Group of Stephens, Inc. from 2001-2009.

He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 1969-present, National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Chairman of the South-Central District/Securities Industry Association from 1987-1988, served on the board of Arbitration from 1990-present, and Chairman of the Securities Industry Association/Local Firms Committee from 1989-1991.

Bob was incredibly generous with his time and talents for various civic causes including the following: Board member of the Arkansas Field Office of the Nature Conservancy, President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Little Rock Downtown Rotary, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arkansas Baptist Medical System Foundation, Chairman of the Museum of Discovery, Chairman Emeritus of the Arkansas Museum of Science and History, Chairman of UALR Business Advisory Council, Chairman-Piltars Club for the United Way of Pulaski County, Chairman of YMCA of Metropolitan Little Rock, Chairman of the YMCA Foundation, Treasurer for Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and a Board Member for Little Rock Fifty for the Future.

He was an active and vital member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as lay treasurer, Finance Committee Chairman, Board of Trustees Chairman and Building Committee Chairman. One of the most rewarding roles he had in his church family was that of devoted and beloved Sunday School teacher for the Friendship-Faulkner and Koinonia classes.

He was a lover of all things outdoors. When he was not giving of his time to others, he loved to duck hunt at Cooper Lake, fishing wherever he could and golfing at the Little Rock Country Club. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family would like to extend their most heartfelt appreciation to those who so graciously cared for Bob. Clara Ellis, Martha Calvin, Brightstar Home Health and Hospice Home Care. A private family graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy or First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, AR.

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