Larry Grisham

Larry Grisham, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and community leader, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in West Plains, Missouri, Larry moved to Jonesboro in the fourth grade and never looked back. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1954, where he was active in multiple sports. During this time, he developed a lifelong passion for duck hunting, which began in 1952, even if it occasionally interfered with basketball practice.

In 1955, Larry attended Oklahoma A&M on a basketball scholarship, where he played under legendary coach Henry Iba and was teammates with Eddie Sutton. He transferred to the University of Arkansas in 1956, playing under Coach Glen Rose. Wearing number 24 and playing guard, he lettered two years in basketball, helping lead the Razorbacks to a Southwest Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1958. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Larry and Jonesboro native and fellow Razorback teammate Tommy Rankin made the Razorbacks' All-Time Letterman list in 2019, and is a proud member of Sigma Chi at the University of Arkansas.

Larry, his father, Sam, and brother, David Grisham, founded Grisham's Clothing. They opened several retail clothing and home decor stores in Arkansas and one in West Plains, MO, his hometown. Their business operated from 1961 to 2003.

Larry loved airplanes and the airplane business so much that he became a pilot and operator of FBOs. He jointly operated Arkansas Aircraft and Carolina Air Center for many years with Mark Haggenmacher, Phillip Gillespie, and his son Ed.

A dedicated conservationist, Larry was instrumental in the Arkansas Duck Stamp and Print Program from 1982 to 2015, helping generate critical funds for wildlife conservation and showcasing the state's natural beauty through art.  His entrepreneurial spirit extended into the arts, where he operated Grisham's Wildlife Art, a wildlife-focused art gallery and custom frame shop that became a fixture in Northeast Arkansas. Larry was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2004. He was inducted into the first class of the Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame in 2016.

Larry's deep love for nature, creativity, and community defined his life.

He later served as Heritage Bank of Arkansas's majority shareholder and Chairman of the Board from 1987 to 2014. Larry started this venture with his good friend Nelson Henry and completed it with Steve May, with the dedication of many others.

Larry's last business venture was in the cell phone business. He was pleased to work alongside his business partner, Brandon French, and his grandsons, Chris Revis and Storm Grisham. He was so proud of that!

Known for his warmth, loyalty, and wisdom, Larry was an avid duck hunter, turkey hunter, and fly fisherman. He found great joy crafting duck calls, golfing with friends, and tracking the stock market. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched through friendship, family, business, conversation, and lunch.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sherry Heringer Grisham; his son, Ed Grisham (Missy); his daughter, Paige Grisham Revis (David); and his grandchildren, David Revis Jr., Chris Revis, Storm Grisham, and Quade Grisham.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro. A visitation will be held before the service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation , reflecting Larry’s enduring respect for nature.

*Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205