Archie Senn

 Archie Senn was born on February 24, 1931, in El Dorado, Arkansas, the son of Archie and Lovie Helms Senn. He was in the 2nd grade when his father was transferred to Little Rock by his employer, the Rock Island Railroad. He sang in the Colonial Boys Choir and attended the Little Rock Public Schools. At East Side Junior High, he became interested in band, played the alto saxophone and served as Drum Major. At Little Rock High School, he was in the Concert Band, Marching Band, and was a member of the original Swing Band. The Swing Band, with booking assistance from their sponsor, Helena Quigley, played for proms all over Arkansas. Their reward was a trip to New Orleans.

At age 17, while still in high school, he joined the Arkansas National Guard 106th Army Band which required his parent’s signature. He retired after 20 years. On active duty for two years in the mid-1950s with the 291st Army Band at For Jackson in Colombia, South Carolina, he had his own dance band and played gigs in that area. Though not a Shriner, he played often with their band and with the North Little Rock Community Concert Band. He last played with the Central High Swing Band Reunion, played his favorite big band sound. 

His first marriage to his high school sweetheart, Barbara McHenry, ended in divorce and she later married Claude Carpenter, both deceased. His second wife Linda Richardson Senn (the love of his life) died in 1983 of cancer. He married Sue Coe Senn in 1985, He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sybil Senn Sneed and Katherine “katy” Senn May, and two nephews. He is survived by his brother Gerald Allen “Jerry” Senn (Lynn), six nieces, his wife Sue, and his precious cat, Lucky Lindy.

As a youth he had many jobs and appreciated all that he learned from them. In high school he worked on Saturday nights and the Arkansas Democrat, stuffing the Sunday paper and then completing his newspaper route. He had a Whizzer motorbike that was the talk of the school. He entertained Sue and others with stories of his life experiences.

He retired from AP&L (now Entergy) after more than 28 years of service. He was active in the IBW 647 Union, serving on the negotiating committee and as Job Steward. He was in the telephone union when he worked for Western Electric and was also in the musician’s union. He was active at Western Hills UMC for many years where he sang in the choir, worked with lighting the swimming pool and helped convert the lights from the old building for use in the new sanctuary. 

His friends described him as “Genuine” which he was. He was a longtime member of American Legion Post 1.

Memorials may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Forest Hills Memorial Park beginning at 1:00 PM.