Biography: Ralph Marvin Cloar Jr., 85, was called to heaven on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. He was no doubt joyfully reunited with his beloved wife Katy and his daughter Mary Virginia.

A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Ralph met his wife Katy in 1957, and they were married for 57 years until her passing in 2020. Together they raised three children and had five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ralph loved his family deeply, cherished his friendships, never met a stranger, and always opened his door to those in need.

Following a successful career as an accountant, he graduated from the old University of Arkansas Law School, Little Rock Division in 1974. Ralph became known as a leading trial lawyer, not only in Arkansas, but as counsel in national class actions and multi-district federal litigation. He served as the President of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association for the 1986-87 term, and, at the national level, he served on the executive committee of the American Association of Justice. Although Ralph humbly described himself as a “street lawyer,” he was nationally recognized for his legal career. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award from the American Association of Justice. Similarly, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, and the Arkansas Bar Association recognized Ralph with the Outstanding Lawyer Award in 2018.

Upon his retirement, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association announced that they had established the Ralph M. Cloar, Jr. Scholarship at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Ralph grew up in Pine Bluff, the eldest of three boys. At Pine Bluff High School, he was a standout football player for the Zebras. He attended both the University of Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist University, as well as served in the U.S. Army. On a fall weekend, you could find him cheering on his Razorbacks or Tigers, as a proud season ticket holder. As a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, he maintained friendships and kept in touch with his brothers throughout his adult life.

A lifelong Southern Baptist, Ralph had put his faith in Jesus Christ and his life exemplified his heart for furthering the gospel. He was a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church where he taught a Sunday school class for many years. He mentored young professionals, volunteered with the underprivileged, and counseled generations of people struggling with substance abuse.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Katy Cloar, his daughter, Mary Virginia Struthers, his parents, Virginia and Ralph Cloar Sr., and brother, Tom Cloar. He is survived by his brother Bob Cloar (Mary Lynne); daughter, Lynn Cooper; son Ralph Cloar, III (Kay); grandchildren Jonathan Cloar (Sarah Beth), Julia Struthers, Haley Reilly (Luke), Mary Elise Cooper, and Henry Cloar; and great grandchildren, Connor Cloar and Emma Kate Cloar.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church (5700 Cantrell Road, Little Rock) with a visitation immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ralph M. Cloar, Jr. Scholarship fund at the University of Arkansas School of Law. University of Arkansas School of Law, Office of Development, Attn: Erin Feller, 1045 W Maple St, Fayetteville, AR 72701