Harold McAfee
November 20, 1953 — November 22, 2008
Harold McAfee
Hal McAfee passed away from natural causes, Saturday, November 22 at his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Born November 20, 1953 in Arkadelphia, Hal graduated from Catholic High School in 1971. McAfee was an All-Southwest Conference linebacker at the University of Arkansas. He helped the Razorbacks to a 31-10 win over Georgia in the 1976 Cotton Bowl, earning him the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player award. McAfee would eventually be named to the Cotton Bowl Hall of Heroes for the 1970s and the Houston Chronicle All-Time Cotton Bowl team. He was an All SWC Academic the recipient of the Red Hickey Razorback Spirit Award in 1975. Following his collegiate career, Hal attended Law School in Little Rock, but left to follow his dream by accepting a coaching assistantship at UA. Hal's coaching career included positions at Harmony Grove High School, AR, Marlin High School, TX, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX (defensive coordinator, head coach), and Fort Lewis College, CO (defensive coordinator).
After Hal received his Doctor of Education he started teaching at Henderson State University and was currently the Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletic Training Department Chair. He was the current president of the Arkansas State Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Association. Many will remember Hal as the color commentator for Henderson State Reddies football team for several years, and he was a vital part of the Taiwanese Cohort Program for the University.
In his spare time, Hal was an avid reader. He also thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the community theaters in the region. He acted in 16 theatrical productions, including the Pocket Theater in Hot Springs, the Weekend Theater in Little Rock, and the Henderson State University Theater.
Survived by his wife, Cindy McAfee and her children, Jennifer Rigsby and Matt Wilson, parents Harold and Barbara McAfee of Amity, brother Ted McAfee and wife Gayle of Dallas TX, and sister Rebecca McAfee of Little Rock, nieces Kristen and Kaitlin Sadler of Little Rock, nephews Shawn, Colin and Spencer McAfee of Dallas, 4 uncles, 5 aunts, and numerous colleagues and friends.
Memorial Services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday November 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Ruggles - Wilcox Funeral Home. Sign The Online registry at www.ruggleswilcox.com
Memorial May be made to the following: The Wayne McAfee Scholarship Foundation, The Theater Department at Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR. , or The Arkansas Razorback Athletics Department, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Born November 20, 1953 in Arkadelphia, Hal graduated from Catholic High School in 1971. McAfee was an All-Southwest Conference linebacker at the University of Arkansas. He helped the Razorbacks to a 31-10 win over Georgia in the 1976 Cotton Bowl, earning him the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player award. McAfee would eventually be named to the Cotton Bowl Hall of Heroes for the 1970s and the Houston Chronicle All-Time Cotton Bowl team. He was an All SWC Academic the recipient of the Red Hickey Razorback Spirit Award in 1975. Following his collegiate career, Hal attended Law School in Little Rock, but left to follow his dream by accepting a coaching assistantship at UA. Hal's coaching career included positions at Harmony Grove High School, AR, Marlin High School, TX, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX (defensive coordinator, head coach), and Fort Lewis College, CO (defensive coordinator).
After Hal received his Doctor of Education he started teaching at Henderson State University and was currently the Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletic Training Department Chair. He was the current president of the Arkansas State Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Association. Many will remember Hal as the color commentator for Henderson State Reddies football team for several years, and he was a vital part of the Taiwanese Cohort Program for the University.
In his spare time, Hal was an avid reader. He also thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the community theaters in the region. He acted in 16 theatrical productions, including the Pocket Theater in Hot Springs, the Weekend Theater in Little Rock, and the Henderson State University Theater.
Survived by his wife, Cindy McAfee and her children, Jennifer Rigsby and Matt Wilson, parents Harold and Barbara McAfee of Amity, brother Ted McAfee and wife Gayle of Dallas TX, and sister Rebecca McAfee of Little Rock, nieces Kristen and Kaitlin Sadler of Little Rock, nephews Shawn, Colin and Spencer McAfee of Dallas, 4 uncles, 5 aunts, and numerous colleagues and friends.
Memorial Services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday November 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Ruggles - Wilcox Funeral Home. Sign The Online registry at www.ruggleswilcox.com
Memorial May be made to the following: The Wayne McAfee Scholarship Foundation, The Theater Department at Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR. , or The Arkansas Razorback Athletics Department, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold McAfee, please visit our flower store.
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