Richard Dawson Gladden

Richard (Dick) Dawson Gladden was born on Sept. 2, 1934, in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were Harry and Elizabeth Gladden. Grandparents were E. T. And Mary Elizabeth Reynolds and Mr. and Mrs. Blake Gladden.
As a young boy Dick accepted Christ as Savior at 2nd Baptist church in Little Rock. He was also active in Boy Scouts and the YMCA in Little Rock. Dick attended schools in Little Rock, graduating from Little Rock High School in 1952. He attended one year at Little Rock Junior College. He transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and majored in Marketing, obtaining a degree in business. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated in January, 1957. It was at the U of A that he and Patsy Courtney, also of Little Rock, began dating and married in August, 1956. In March of 1957, Dick had to report to Fort Chaffee for basic training in U.S. Army and then to MP school at Ft. Gordon, GA. In August of that same year he was sent to Seoul, Korea, for 15 months. He returned in Nov. 1958, and had to report to Ft. Polk, Louisiana, to finish his tour of duty.Afterwards, he served in the Reserves for 4 years and received an Honorable Discharge.
He began his career in the life insurance business in Alexandria, LA with the Prudential Life Insurance Company. He became a staff manager and sent to Shreveport, LA, where he remained until 1968 and then relocated to Hot Springs, AR. He obtained the designation for Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellowship. He also was recipient of he National Sales Achievement Award, National Quality Award, past president of Central Arkansas Chartered Life Underwriters, and Hot Springs Association of Life Underwriters.
He was a Gideon and active in distributing Bibles and was a speaker in churches for the Gideons. He was a member of Hot Springs Baptist church and served in various positions such as a deacon and an usher. He was also active with Bible Study Fellowship for a number of years. He has served on the YMCA board for over 30 years and has served as president. For several years he served as Chairman of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Cluster of YMCAs. He is a past member of the Southwest Field Committee of YMCA and served on the National Board of YMCA Nominating committee. He has been helpful with the fundraisers through the years. He was a member of Rotary International in the National Park Rotary club of Hot Springs, where he has served as President and chosen as Rotarian of the Year 1997-1998. He also is a Paul Harris Fellow. Each month he presented a bit of history and current events involving Rotary International clubs, called the Rotary Minute. In June, 2024, he was awarded Rotarian of the year. He served on the board of Ouachita Boy Scout Council for a number of years and served as president until it disbanded. He then became a member of Quapaw Boy Scout Council in Little Rock. He received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service for Boy Scouts of America.
He also served on Arkansas Baptist Foundation Board in Little Rock for two terms, serving as president. He was president of the Garland County United Way for one year. He was selected to participate in Leadership Hot Springs for one year. He, along with two other Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumni, organized the Central Ark. Alumni banquet that was held annually in Hot Springs for several years. It is now held in Little Rock at the Little Rock Country Club. In 2008 Dick received the SAE True Gentleman award.
Dick was an avid runner and ran many races over the years - either 5k or 10k, winning many trophies. He was featured on the cover of a local magazine, along with another runner, as having participated in the SPA race in November for over 35 years. He was awarded the Jacob Wells Arkansas Spirit award by Road Runners Club of America. He was recently featured in the local magazine, Stroll, naming his many accomplishments. He and his family are great Razorback fans and attended the football games for many years. They also cheer for the Razorback Basketball team and the baseball team. He is father to his beloved children Gail Ann Gladden and Richard David Gladden. He and Pat celebrated their 68th anniversary on August 26, 2024. Dick celebrated his 90th birthday on Sept. 02, 2024.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
A graveside service will be held 3:00 pm Monday at Pinecrest Memorial Park 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, AR, 72002. A memorial service announced at later date.