I grew up on a small farm in Marion County Arkansas. Marion County is in the Ozark Mountains in the most Northern part of Arkansas. My parents thought it would be a good education for me to learn how to course bees, fix fence, and drive a tractor. During the summers I spent most of my time working on the farm. In addition to learning about farm life, I learned a two very important lessons; it doesn't take money to make you happy, and happiness comes from within.
My Hereford bull won the grand prize at the County Fair in 1964. Then I went off to college. In those days the draft allowed one year of graduate school, so after one year of law school I was drafted into the Army. By agreeing to serve for three years, I got to attend one more year of law school before going off to basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky. After basic training I was sent to Military Intelligence School in Baltimore, Md. Following that, my class attended one year of Vietnamese Language School in El Paso, Texas.
There were about 35 of us in my class who were shipped to Vietnam. The war was standing down, so I returned to law school after six months in Vietnam.
I was attatched to the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Eagle in Vietnam and attained the rank of sergeant before receiving an Honorable Discharge. As with many of the troops returning from Vietnam, I had a hard time readjusting to civilian life back home.
The day I graduated from law school I left for two years backpacking around Europe. One day, I decided to return to my home town and start working as a lawyer. That was in September 1974.
It wasn’t long until my practice grew. Now, with over 30 years of experience in trying personal injury cases, I know that was the right decision.
In 1988, I became Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by The National Board of Trial Advocacy. I remember driving to Little Rock. The snow was 12 inches deep on the highway, but there was no way I was going to miss that exam.
I disagree with many lawyers who believe they learned all they need to learn in law school. After law school, I attended over 400 hours of classes offered by the American Trial Lawyers Association. I am proud to be a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy.
Governor Huckbee appointed me three times to serve as a Special Associate Justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. That was a tremendous honor. I currently serve as Vice President of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce and am a member of the Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation Advisory Board and the Good Samaritan Advisory Board.
The 2008 Mid-South edition of Super Lawyers listed me in the field of personal injury. I am also rated AV by Martindale Hubbell, its highest rating. Recently, I was selected by my peers to be included in the 2008 edition of "Best Lawyers".
My wife Pat is Vice Chancellor of our local university. She has served as President of the Arkansas Two Year College Association and as the first female President of the Rotary Club in Mountian Home. Pat has also served as President of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce. We live in Mountain Home, Arkansas with our two pets, Molly (half daushound and half Corgi) and Abby (a beautiful Burmese rescue cat).
My son, Frank C. lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he is studying to be a teacher.
P.S. The picture of me is at the finish line of the White Rock Half Marathon. I have finished eight marathons to date and one day hope to qualify for Boston. Training for marathons helps me set goals and stay in shape to have a long healthy life.