Mike Huckabay

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Oct 1st, 2014

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Death Date: Oct 1, 2014

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Biography: Mike Huckabay, Sr. died on October 1, 2014. He was born on June 14, 1940, in Houma, Louisiana to Dorrothie and James Preston Huckabay. He spent part of his childhood in Venezuela with his family before moving to Clarksville, Arkansas where he graduated from Clarksville High School. While in Clarksville he had a horse named Lucky whom he loved. Mike graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1962 with a degree in Political Science. In 1965 he earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School. He began his law career in Little Rock at the law firm Pope, Pratt and Shamberger after which he practiced with Tom Gentry. He was then recruited by his beloved Sr. partner, Sam Laser, in the early 1970s to the firm which soon became Laser, Sharp, Haley, Young, and Huckabay. In 1984 Mike founded the law firm Huckabay, Munson, Tilley and Rowlett. In 2011 he and his son began the Huckabay Law Firm where he practiced with Kathryn Knisley and Jay Sayes. Mike was a trial lawyer of great skill and was well respected as an advocate by both the Bench and Bar throughout Arkansas. As recognition of his skills as a trial lawyer, Mike was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the International Society of Barristers, a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, as well as a member of the Arkansas and Pulaski County Bar Associations. Mike faced his diagnosis of cancer with courage and grace. He fought his illness with great dignity, strength, strong faith, and even humor. Mike is survived by his wife Nancy and his children, D. Michael Huckabay, Jr. and Layne Keenan. He is also survived by his grandchildren Samantha and Natalie Huckabay and Huck and Sam Keenan and his step-children Katharine Allen Adams, Justin Couch and his wife Katie, Leland Couch and his wife Vanessa, and Patrick Couch. Mike is also survived by four step-grandchildren. Other survivors are his sister Patsy Bradley of Russellville, his brother Danny Huckabay of Dover and their families. Mike was a natural trial lawyer having tried over 450 jury trials. He praised those who made and seized opportunity for themselves not only in the practice of law but in life. Mike was a devoutly faithful man who loved animals. Mike and his family are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from his family, friends, co-workers and fellow members of the Bar. Particular thanks are given to the superb physicians, nurses, and staff of UAMS and Arkansas Hospice. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 6, 2014 at 3 p.m. in Second Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pulaski County Humane Society, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210, or Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock, AR 72227. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(14)

Lauren Dabous Telmanik

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike was my mentor and the best man i have ever known. I still love and miss him today as much as i did back then. I will forever know him as the man who made me strive to be the best and most giving person i could be. He made a lasting impression on my life and will never, ever be forgotten.

Pat Miller

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I saw Mike almost everyday downtown and he was the always the nicest,friendliness and kind gentleman. When he was my neighbor too, we had lots of interesting conversations standing in the yard. He will be missed and my thoughts and prayers go out to Nancy and the family.

Lora Ann and Joyce and Jock Aldworth

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Nancy,
We have been thinking of you and your families and we are holding you all in our prayers.
Love,

Joyce, Jock and Lora Ann

Sherri Black

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known and worked with Mike. He was always such a gentleman and I loved his sense of humor. Michael, my condolences to you and your family. You have been and will be in my prayers.

Anita Stock

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike was a wonderful man. I worked for him for many years and he was the best boss I ever had. Mike was always fair, h treated everyone with dignity and respect and demanded the same from us. He had a great sense of humor. He knew how to make you feel better about yourself and helped you in any way he could. I know he will be missed greatly. Rest in peace, Mike.

Jim Stanley, Jr and wife, Audrey Burtrum-Stanley

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We join the many who have crossed paths with Mike and then grew to call him a terrific friend and splendid attorney. (Decades ago, our pal, the late-Bill Blevins, who was very fond Mike, introduced all of us. How lucky we were!) We extend our sincerest condolences to his friends and kith. In closing, the wonderful lyrics from the song, 'MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE' (which is also a beloved prayer) offer Christian hope and the choicest balm for our broken hearts -- "...It is in giving to all men that we receive; And in dying that we are born to eternal life." We humbly pray this to be so for dear Mike and for all mankind.

Ralph & Katy Cloar

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Mike. He was a gentleman and an excellent trial lawyer. We will miss him.

Sarah Miller

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

As a Trial Court Assistant to Judge Rob Wyatt, Jr. of Pine Bluff, I had the privilege of working with Mike on several occasions. I met Mike through my mother, Amy Pope Miller, whom was his Court Reporter and dear friend for many years. When my mom suffered a stroke back in February of 2013, Mike was there to visit her at the hospital as soon as he heard she was there. He was an absolute gentleman and a true 'Cowboy' of lawyers. Whenever we saw each other, our hellos and goodbyes were followed with a hug and "I love you". I will miss him dearly, as will everyone that has had the honor of knowing Mike. I send my love and prayers to all of his family and loved ones. Heaven has gained such an amazing angel. I love you and will miss you always, Mike.

Jenny and Juan Luis Hernandez

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Nancy,

You and Mike's family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Jenny and Juan Luis

John (johnny)Ray

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I grew up with Mike in Clarksville, Ar. He was one of my heroes as he always encouraged me to be the best person I could be. We were in the band together and I clearly remember riding with him to Fort Smith for an all district tryout..my first as I was a sophmore (trumpet) and he was a senior and was a great trombone player (all state). He knew that I was scared and his soft voice and strong encouragement skills helped settle me down. I sat in his office in 1980 severely shaken by a horrible divorce and he gave me courage to take life by the throat and try again as I was battling severe depression. He was my friend and it hurts deeply that I am losing a person who meant so much to me growing up. I will greatly miss him and cherish the memories we had together as good friends.

Nickii Allen

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike was an amazing man with wonderful integrity. I'm so blessed to have met him.

Lee Cissell Dickens

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

A perfect gentleman and will be missed. I send love and prayers to the family.

Laurie Jernigan

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Richard Watts

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike was a friend, a mentor and a colleague. Whether discussing our love of Porsches, a point of law, politics or life in general, I valued his observations and opinions. I will miss him greatly.
I was fortunate to have visited with him the Monday before he passed away. We talked a bit about the book he was reading, "The Last Lion," and our respective admiration for Churchill. After I said something about enjoying the book, but not having read the second volume, Mike responded in that typical "Senior" fashion, "Richard, Richard....there are three volumes. Three."
He loved his family very much and was so very proud of Michael and Layne. I am glad I got the chance to tell him I loved him.
Richard Watts

Mike Huckabay

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