Byron "Barney" Heady

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Byron “Barney” LeRoy Heady, Jr. of Fayetteville, Arkansas, formerly of Jonesboro, walked through the gates of heaven Wednesday, March 30, 2022, met Jesus face to face, and once again wrapped his arms around his youngest daughter, Linda.

Barney was born February 9, 1941, to Byron and Eunice (Walling) Heady, Sr. in Coffeyville, Kansas. While in high school, he met and married the love of his life, Martha Haltom.

Barney was well known for his involvement in the Jonesboro community, first as an active member in the Jaycees starting in 1968 and later as the Manager of the Craighead County Fair. He helped in the transition of moving the Northeast Arkansas District Fair to Jonesboro in 1983, where he continued as fair manager for another 17 years until he retired as manager in 2000. Barney was able to work alongside assistant manager and longtime friend, Jerry Reece. They cemented themselves as the great veteran duo in the management of the fair for more than 33 years. Throughout his life, Barney was a mentor to many. An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved time with his fishing and hunting buddies and for many years was a member of the Antioch Hunting Club. He was a longtime member of Forest Home Church of the Nazarene, as well as a lifetime member of the Cherokee and Delaware Indian Tribes and was enrolled on both Indian rolls.

Barney’s crowning achievement, however, and the one he was most proud of was his large and loving family. He and Martha raised three daughters with patience, discipline, and humility. He taught them to be fair, strong, a friend to those in need, and to always put others before themselves. He taught them how to fish, ride 3-wheelers, and raise animals. He supported them in every sport and activity they were involved in and never missed a softball, basketball, or volleyball game they played. When his grandchildren were in school, you could find Barney, once again, in the stands cheering them on.

Barney was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Kay Heady of Jonesboro; his parents, Byron and Eunice (Walling) Heady, Sr. of Coffeyville, Kansas; and his sister, Judith Kaiser (Heady) Brooks, of Independence, Kansas. His greatest passions in life were his commitment to his job, his service to his community, and his compassion for the ones he loved, especially his family.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha (Haltom) Heady of the home; daughter, Brenda (Heady) Vail and husband, Geron Vail, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and daughter, Marcia Heady of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Barney was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Andrea (John) Vail Wilson of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Tiffany (John-Mark) Lamb Beaver of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Dustin Vail of Carrboro, North Carolina, Randi (Ty) Lamb Mitchell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Terah (Dane) Vail Munstermann of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He also leaves behind nine great grandchildren, whom he greatly adored: Caleb Wilson, Maci Mitchell, Dane Wilson, Ella Mitchell, Linus Vail, Allie Wilson, Florence Vail, Jack Beaver, and Genevieve Beaver. He is survived by sisters, Jo Ann (Calvin) Nicolas of Coffeyville, Kansas, and Jane (Victor Sr.) McDow of Paola, Kansas; brother, Haskell Heady of Coffeyville, Kansas; aunt’s Frances (Walling) Evans, of Abilene, Texas, and Ruby “Skip” (Pierce) Heady of Coffeyville, Kansas. sisters-in-law, Roberta (Boots) Stallings, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Barbara Haltom of Hot Springs, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Dwight Brooks of Independence, Kansas; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends.

A celebration of life will be Friday, April 8th, 2022, at Emerson Funeral Home, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The family will receive visitors from 2:00-3:00 in the chapel, and a celebration to follow from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, in memory of Byron "Barney" Heady.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day: and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).