of Conway, AR
December 24, 1939 - February 25, 2023
Gary Allen DuVall, 83, of Conway, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 25, 2023 surrounded by his three loving daughters and a hospice comfort cat named Vanessa. In true Gary style, he waited until all three of his daughters fell asleep in his room before quietly tip-toeing home to Jesus.
Gary was born December 24, 1939 in Glendale, CA to Grady and Eleanor (Poe) DuVall. He has finally been reunited with his mother, whom he lost to cancer when he was only 7 years old. He spoke of his mother often throughout his life, as his heart remained broken over her loss. He is also preceded in death by his father, Grady and stepmother, Ruth DuVall, who were blessed to have lived long, productive lives and were always positive influences in Gary's life. In addition, Gary is joined by his best buddy and companion, Cookie the collie dog, who is probably playing a game of fetch with him about now.
When he was 13, Gary left his picturesque life by the ocean, along with all of his endeared Poe cousins and moved from California to Tull, AR with his dad and sister. His new home was on his grandparents' working farm, which was quite a transition from the beach life he had known. Gary's life was being rewritten. He was now on a homestead where his grandparents grew cotton, a variety of vegetables and raised livestock and he was put to work! It was a journey into the unknown. He began attending a country school at Bauxite versus the city school he once knew and quickly earned the nickname "Hollywood" because of his Tinseltown roots. At his new school, Gary began to soar in everything. He was in all varsity sports, was captain of the basketball team, president of the Beta Club, a member of the student senate and a delegate to Boys State. In 1957, Gary graduated from Bauxite High School.
It seems a love of sports circulated through Gary's veins starting at a young age, but baseball was his first true love. He didn't just want to watch baseball. He wanted to LIVE baseball. In 1952, at Williamsport, PA, this dream came to fruition when he became the first player from Bauxite, on the first Arkansas team (Little Rock All Stars), to play in the Little League World Series. Later, as a college freshman, he even served a short stint on the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team, but quit so he could focus on his grades. He remained an avid Razorback fan and whether he was watching a game live from the stadium or on television, his big blue eyes remained glued to the game and his whooping and bellowing could be heard for miles.
Gary had a true servant's heart and dedicated his entire adult life to helping the less fortunate. He always said this passion for serving others was sparked by the death of his mother as a young boy and the many hardships that evolved afterwards. He was eventually motivated to make social work his career choice when the social work director at the U of A noticed his compassionate spirit and convinced him to change his major. In Gary's own words, he said, "I truly felt God had placed me on this path, the path of helping others who were in distress or needed positive guidance." Gary went on to earn his bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Arkansas. After college, his career launched when he became the first street gang worker in Memphis, TN, where he worked with troubled youths for 4 years and began to start his own family. He next became a rehabilitation counselor for the Conway Rehab Facility for 17 years. During this time, he obtained his master's degree in counseling from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, then went on to become the coordinator for Conway Human Development Center's Continuum of Services Outreach Program, where he supervised Continuum staff and served as a counselor for troubled children, youth, adults and families in Faulkner and neighboring counties until his retirement in 2002.
Throughout his career and beyond, Gary was well known in the community for his gentle spirit, kind heart and gifted counseling skills. His accomplishments in the social work/counseling field were vast. He had an unending number of certifications, citations and commendations and was a member of so many boards, committees, advocacy groups, etc., that they are impossible to name. Additionally, he was the recipient of more awards than anyone can cite. However, there are four very prestigious awards he won that should not go unmentioned because they are major highlights in his career. Gary received the following: National Counselor of the Year and National Humanitarian and Caring Person Awards by the American Counseling Association at the American Counseling Association World Conference in Orlando, FL; Regional Counselor of the Year (5 states: Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana), sponsored by National Rehabilitation Association; Counselor of the Year for Arkansas, sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association and Arkansas Volunteer Activist, sponsored by Dillard's Department Store and Germain Monteil.
Gary's focus in his later years was to continue to help the unfortunate on a volunteer basis and he did so until he became unable.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving family, daughters and sons-in-laws, Melinda and Al Fawcett, Amanda and Rusty Hawkins and Jennifer and Randy Ethridge; sister and brother-in-law, DeAnne and Shorty Wilmoth; grandchildren, Jordan (Amelia) Ahne, JoLynn (Jordan) Moix, Catherine (Daniel) Andrews, Bethany (Justin) Hamm, Jacob (Stacy) Owens, Lance (Rebecca) Hawkins; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous other friends and family and the hundreds of lives Gary touched and helped heal during his life's work.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Roller McNutt-Conway, with burial following at Ebenezer Cemetery, 8241 State Highway 190 N, Tull, AR.
Instead of flowers, Gary would love for you to do an unexpected, unsolicited act of kindness for anyone who is troubled or suffering. Memorial contributions can also be made in his honor to Chi Alpha SAU at https://www.chialphasau.com/
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34 Condolence(s)
Jenni
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Here I am again. I miss you so much. They haven’t gotten your headstone yet, but hopefully soon. I miss you so much, I don’t know what to do.
Jakishia (Clemons) Madison
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Mr GÃ ry Duval was a good man who had helped my family long time ago back in the 90s when I was a little girl. He had helped my older sister a lot more than he can. Now, I'm very shocked that he had passed away. My condolences goes out towards his three children and his family too.
John M Ray
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
I became acquainted with Gary when he was a rehabilitation counselor at the Conway facility. He worked closely with Danny Stell who I knew through the National Guard.
We had a very good softball team at the Conway facility and Gary was our third baseman. He was a gifted athlete and his love for the clients was very apparent. I always enjoyed being in his presence. His love, quite personality was a great asset that he openly shared.
I have lost two good friends as Danny passed away several months ago. I am a better man for having known both Danny and Gary!!! John Ray
Jenni
Friday, April 28, 2023
Really missing you….
Jenni
Friday, March 24, 2023
Sure missing you, dad. Still hard to believe you’re not here anymore. Love you ~
Michelle Gosser
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Mr. Duvall was a beautiful soul, always showing love for others even when it was a tough go. Rest easy sir, enjoy your time with God.
Chris Hogan
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Jennifer,
I first met your Dad when I was a principal at Mayflower Elementary. He worked with some of our students. We had many conversations and I learned so much from home about working with troubled kids. He deserved every award he received.
Thinking of you and your families.
John and Dorinda Lendennie
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss. Gary truly had a big heart for helping others.
Annette Miller
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Loved Mr. Gary even if we didn’t share the same political views. We teased each other every chance we had. He was a smart man and loved his family with all he had.
RIPâ¤ï¸
Annette Miller
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Loved Mr. Gary even if we didn’t share the same political views. We teased each other every chance we had. He was a smart man and loved his family with all he had.
RIPâ¤ï¸
Bob Barham
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Gary was such a kind man, and he will be sorely missed. My prayers of comfort to the family.
Sonya Swenson
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Sweet cousins we are praying for comfort after losing your Dad. I have fond memories of Gary and of all the Duvalls that have gone before him.
Ruby Bell
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Sincere condolences to your family. I am so very sorry for your loss. May God provide the necessary peace and comfort to your family and friends during this difficult time. Please remember these words of encouragement from the Bible: “ Jesus plainly told her: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.†—John 11:20-25.
Richard Robinson
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
What a wonderful tribute to such a fine man. I learned a lot about him that I didn’t know. I first met Mr. DuVall as a teenager, when I played on the Coleman Dairy PONY League baseball team in Conway at the YBMA Fairgrounds. Mr. DuVall was our coach and a fine one. But he also taught us more than just baseball. “Mr. DuVall,†as we all called him, imparted much wisdom about life and how to care for and treat others. While we didn’t win every game, he taught us to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory. I ran across a picture of him with some of our team members from the Log Cabin Democrat recently and remembered Gary DuVall with fondness. The last time I saw him was many years ago, when I worked for the Arkadelphia Human Development Center at the time. I think he was pleased that I was working a a sister facility to the Conway unit. My heart aches for the family and I’m saddened to hear of his passing. But what a legacy he leaves behind, even for a young Conway teenager, who learned so much from his example of what a caring, thoughtful person should be. Godspeed, Mr. DuVall. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Tamra
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Jennifer, Amanda and Melinda,
Your Dad was a gift and a blessing to many in this world. May you find comfort in knowing he lives on in your hearts and through each person he was able to assist with his knowledge and companionate heart.
May each memory you have with him bring a smile.
Keeping you and all your family in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Larry Mahar
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Jennifer and Family,
I am so sorry to learn of Gary's passing. I know you will all miss him greatly. He was a great guy. I treasure having known him.
Frenchie, "Au revoir mon ami."
Larry Mahar
Angel A
Monday, February 27, 2023
It was an honor to get to know Mr Gary...and a privilege to help care for him the past year and a half. I'll cherish our talks about sports and our debates on the government â¤ï¸
Kathi Sweere
Monday, February 27, 2023
I am truly sorry for your loss. You had a wonderful father and he was blessed to have all of you in his life. Praying for your family.
Debi Avra
Monday, February 27, 2023
Amanda and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your tribute to him in the obituary is just beautiful. What a long life of service to those less fortunate!
I know he will be greatly missed. Love to you allâ¤ï¸
Willa Romine
Monday, February 27, 2023
Willa Romine
Monday, February 27, 2023
Lived next door to Gary and family for several years. I remember his soft spoken voice of greetings if we met going out.
Pray God's great Love and Grace for the family through this parting. ðŸ™ðŸ™â˜ï¸â¤â¤â¤
Linda Shock
Monday, February 27, 2023
I worked with Gary in the Continuum of Services Program for several years. He was a good man with a big heart. Many have had their burdens lightened because of Gary.
Reva Jo Hayes
Monday, February 27, 2023
So sorry for your loss, prayers for his family
David Barber
Monday, February 27, 2023
Gary and I were classmates at Bauxite and the U of A. I have nothing but good memories of him. I still don't know how a little guy like him could hit a baseball like that. Rest in peace, Gary, you earned it.
SkeetMorse & Mary Jane Morse
Monday, February 27, 2023
So sorry .
Terry Love
Monday, February 27, 2023
Gary worked tirelessly with us to create a healthier Faulkner County during the 90s and beyond. His legacy is great for the individuals and groups he served. His work ethic was shared with his daughter, Melinda, who was a valued colleague of mine…continuing Gary’s tradition of public service and sacrifice. Rest well, Gary. You made a difference.
Shawn wilkins
Monday, February 27, 2023
I'm so sorry for the family's loss my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
May God guide and comfort you all in the coming days and just know he is at peace and no longer in pain but you will see him again one day
Natalie Lea
Monday, February 27, 2023
Your dad was a precious gift. You three girls are the legacy he is the most proud of, for sure. Love and prayers to and for all of you.
Harvey Miller
Monday, February 27, 2023
I feel we were true friends growing up at Bauxite and U. of A. I wish I had kept in touch. I know he will be truly missed. My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Norm and Cathy DuVall Kordsmeier
Monday, February 27, 2023
Happy memories of Gary growing up . He was the handsome and kind older brother to all of us cousins. Sending love and prayers to all of the family
Mara Williams
Monday, February 27, 2023
What a life well lived followed by a heavenly homecoming. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a selfless person. This world would be a much brighter place if we were all like Gary. Prayers to you all now and the days ahead.
Monna & Frank Ellis
Monday, February 27, 2023
What a great legacy he left in his three daughters. My prayers are with you all.
Mary Ferguson
Monday, February 27, 2023
Though I didn't have the privilege of meeting Gary. I'm privileged to work with two daughters. I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers . God Bless
Catherine Simmons
Monday, February 27, 2023
I am very sorry for your loss. I pray that you find peace in the Lord.