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Welcome

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If you’re searching for yourself in these pages or a family member, we try to tag all the entries with names of those mentioned or pictured. To find any entries in which you are tagged, type:

https://fayettevilleclassof76.com/tag/yourfirstname-yourlastname
with the hyphen between first and last name. We tried to use your most common name, such as “Bill” or “Billy” instead of “William,” and pre-marriage names. If you would prefer a different name for the tag or if we have a typo in your name, it’s easy to change the tags, so just let us know.

If you’re on Facebook, we have a Class of 76 group for conversations and comments.

In Memoriam

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The following friends from the class of 1976 are reported to have died since graduation. If you know of other classmates who have died or have more information about these lives that you would like us to add, send a note to FayettevilleClassof76@gmail.com. Two FHS graduates, Kevin Cunningham and Conrad Odom, maintain a Facebook group — Fayetteville Friends — In Memoriam — dedicated to the remembrance of all FHS graduates who have died.

Ricky Ahart, 1958-2002, Obituary.

Cheryl Allred, 1958-2013, Obituary.

Cristina Antonia Arias, 1959-2019, Obituary.

Keith Banks, 1958-1980, Obituary.

Mark Basset, 1958-2010, Obituary.

Paula Sue Bibbee Richardson, 1956-2022.

Linda Bixby Vandagriff, 1958-2011, Obituary.

Kirk Bradley, 1958-1999, Obituary.

Robert “Bob” Brandt, 1957-2022.

Phillip Brown, 1957-2023.

Mike Bryant, 1957-1976. Obituary.

Michael Buchanan, 1957-2019, Obituary.

Morton “Skip” Carnes, 1958-2014, Obituary.

Donnita Gayle Carney, 1959-2018.

Charles Edwin Cash, 1958-2021.

Lynn Chandler, 1958-1976, Obituary.

Angela Childress West Lies, 1957-2013, Obituary.

Brooks Clower, 1957-2010, Obituary.

Sandi Coffin, 1957-1993, Obituary.

Linda Colwell Stewart, 1958-2024, Obituary.

Patricia Gaye Coston, 1958-2016, Obituary.

Dianne Cross, 1858-2007, Obituary.

Michael Davidson, 1957-1997, Obituary.

Dennis Davis, 1958-1982, Obituary.

Diane Davis, 1957-2010, Obituary.

Jeff Day, 1958-2011, Obituary.

Nancy Dodson Peters, 1958-1998, Obituary.

Steve Dolan, 1957-1973.

Duane Dunn, 1958-2019, Obituary.

Greg Flowers, 1957-2017, Obituary.

Mike Garner, 1958-2007, Obituary.

Barry Gilbow, 1958-2024.

Jerry Gilbow, 1958-2022.

Weeda Gooding, 1958-2008, Obituary.

Nicky Gyles, 1957-2010, Obituary.

Gary J. Harris, 1958-2010, Obituary.

Stephen Lee Harris, 1958-2018, Obituary.

Shirley Jo Henson, 1958-2025.

Alan Hepler, 1958-1986, Obituary.

Matt Holtzen, 1958-2009, Obituary.

Michael Jackson, 1958-2015, Obituary.

Dyke Jennings, 1957-2016, Obituary.

Steve “Country” Jones, 1957-1977, Obituary.

Beverly Jo Kreie, 1958-2018.

Mike Lyman, 1958-2021, Obituary.

Rick McClelland, 1958-2009.

Stephen McGinnis, 1958-2018. Obituary.

Brian McGreevy, 1957-2008, Obituary.

Pat Miller Simpson, 1958-2006, Obituary.

Lori Mitchell Cochran, 1957-2022.

Donna Moore, 1958-2004, Obituary.

Brian Noland, 1958-2024.

Lisa Michelle Osburn Mackey, 1958-2025.

Gregg Parker, 1958-2020, Obituary.

Miles Lynn Patrick, 1957-2017, Obituary.

Jeff Allen Rand, 1957-2018.

Terry Riddle, 1957-2024.

Naoto Sekiguchi, 1958-2021, Obituary.

Jan Skarda, 1957-1994, Obituary.

Dwaine Spears, 1958-2002, Obituary.

Sheri Starr Keen, 1958-2015, Obituary.

Richard Steel, 1957-2000, Obituary.

Jimmy Stout, 1958-2007, Obituary.

Misty Veasey Luck, 1957-2021.

Craig Venema, 1958-1993, Obituary.

Robert “Bobby” Waterson, 1958-2014, Obituary.

Myra Wesson, 1958-2003, Obituary.

Daniel Lee Wickliff, 1958-2022, Obituary.

Claude Williams, 1958-2021.

“Ricky” Witherspoon, 1957-2016.

Dennis Wohlford, 1957-2016, Obituary.

Obituary for Linda Marie Colwell Stewart

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Linda Colwell Stewart in her senior high portrait.

Linda Marie Stewart, 66, of West Fork passed away on August 11, 2024 in West Fork. She was born on June 26, 1958, to Philip and Mary Sue Colwell.

Linda was an artist and master gardener. She was a member of Fayetteville High School class of 1976. She was a long-time resident of West Fork. She graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Art with refined studies in ceramics. Linda adored her 17-year-old cat, Charlotte and 2-year-old dog, Orion. Both have found new homes and are doing well.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her stepmother, June Colwell of Fayetteville; one son, Grady Stewart of Greenbrier; one daughter, Amanda Carter and husband Wardell of Fayetteville; two brothers, Wade Colwell of Fayetteville and Ted Colwell of Edina, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Cameron Self, Lanay Self, Amelia Carter, and Levi Carter of Fayetteville; and two great-grandchildren, Tytus Carter and Valkrie Holden of Fayetteville.

Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Millar Lodge on Mount Sequoyah, 150 N. Skyline Dr., Fayetteville.

Obituary for Daniel Wickliff

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Dan Wickliff with a prize catch, a trout the size of a boat.

Daniel Wickliff, 64, of West Fork, died Oct. 20, 2022, of kidney cancer. He was born on March 5, 1958, in Ames, Iowa, to James and Mary Jo Wickliff.

In high school, Daniel was a member of the National Honor Society, and he served as president of Explorer Post 105. In the latter role, he organized hiking, camping, snow-skiing and orienteering trips for fellow members of the post.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from the University of Arkansas. He also was a member of the university’s Outdoor Recreation Club, going on overnight hikes along the Ozark Highlands Trail and the Buffalo River trails as part of its programming.

Daniel was an employee of Collier Drug Store for more than 25 years, prior to Collier’s closing of its photo section due to the rise of digital photography. He remained a photographer, though, working professionally throughout Washington County and Fayetteville.

He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. As a hunter, he progressed to more difficult methods and prey as his tracking ability and shooting skills grew, moving from traditional rifle to black powder guns and then compound bow. He hunted deer, rabbit, squirrel and dove among other game.

Dan Wickliff

As a fisherman, he waded and canoed the White, Illinois and Buffalo rivers and especially loved Lee Creek, which runs through part of his family’s property before continuing down the valley to Devil’s Den State Park. But he also traveled to the boundary waters of northern Minnesota as well as separate trips into Canada for fishing expeditions.

Daniel was survived by his wife, Ashley Wickliff; his parents; his brother, David Wickliff; and sister, Diana Hicks.

A drop-in visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at Moore’s Chapel Funeral Home in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington Regional Hospice. You may sign an online guestbook at www.bernafuneralhomes.com.

Dan Wickliff on a bluff overlooking the Buffalo National River, about 1979.

Obituary for Naoto Sekiguchi

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Naoto Sekiguchi

Naoto Sekiguchi passed away on September 21, 2021, at the family home in Fayetteville. Naoto was born January 19, 1958, in Tokyo, Japan, to Tochiko and Tetstundo Sekiguchi. As an infant, he, his mother, and elder sister made the voyage to America and moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where his father was completing his doctoral degree at Oklahoma State. The Sekiguchis eventually settled in Fayetteville, where they were among the town’s first Asian families. Naoto was a compassionate, gentle, and kind person from the start, who was always creating.

He was a 1976 graduate of Fayetteville High School and graduated on the senior honor roll.

Naoto earned his architectural degree from the University of Arkansas in 1982, and began his career at Fox and Fowle Architects, and later with James Wines at SITE Architecture Art Design in New York City. He worked at numerous firms in Seattle; the Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings studio in Fayetteville; Eric Owen Moss in Culver City, California; Jennifer Siegal OMD in Los Angeles; and firms in Tokyo, Japan, and Penang, Malaysia. Although he was a talented architect, Naoto really shone through his teaching. He worked in the architecture departments at the University of Oregon, University of Minnesota, Chiang Mai University, and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. He was dedicated and invested in his students and left a lasting impression on many of them.

Naoto at a shrine for the reclining Buddha.

Throughout his life, Naoto traveled the world from Greece to Laos to Malawi. More recently he found homes in Harbin Hot Springs and Sierra Hot Springs in California, and fell in love with Portugal. Naoto approached each new place with curiosity and each person he met with warmth and compassion forming friendships everywhere he went. You could pick a location and, chances are, Naoto had been there and would be able to regale you with a wild and funny story.

Naoto took writing, playing and recording his music, including busking on the streets of Barcelona and Portugal.

Later in his life, Naoto focused increasingly on his creative pursuits, particularly his writing and music, which celebrated the beauty of humanity but also challenged with humor the ills and injustice he saw in the world. Naoto was profoundly empathetic, he felt the world around him even when it hurt. When he saw something he knew was wrong he spoke out and stood his ground. He cared for and gave to people with all of himself.

Naoto is celebrated and deeply missed by his siblings, Tomoko Sekiguchi, Mary Kirasich (Mark), June Sekiguchi, and Eugene Sekiguchi (Alison Parry); as well as his nieces and nephews, Hana Mei, Quin, and Jaden Breeland, Aya Cockram (Gareth Newnham), Joseph Kirasich and Kaitlin Kirasich Kinzer (Sean), and Evan and Mia Sekiguchi who he loved and cherished. He is also survived by greatniece, Cora Newnham, who will grow up listening to his music and being delighted by his art, and dear friends Jane Scroggs, Randall “Poot” Cannon, Jon Green, Emmitte Watson, Jim Horn, Mike Breeland, Michael Cockram, and many others. Our hearts are broken with his loss, but we are thankful that he is resting in peace closer to his mother and father and that he left so much of himself with us in his writing, music, art, and in our wonderful memories of him.

Naoto Sekiguchi

A celebration of life to be held at a future date will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, the Khmer Magic Music Bus, or First Place. To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.

Obituary for Mike Lyman

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Mike Lyman

Michael Dee Lyman, 63, of Fayetteville died Friday, April 30, 2021, at Washington Regional Medical Center. He was born Friday, March 14, 1958, at Fayetteville, to J.D. and Amboline Gurley Lyman.

He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and a member of the high school orchestra and band.

Lyman spent his lifetime helping others. He was a registered nurse and had a degree in social work. He worked at Washington Regional for many years starting on Generations and ending in the Wound Center. Lyman retired from Washington Regional to take care of his parents, providing around-the-clock care for them until their passing.

He also enjoyed traveling, cooking, celebrating the Christmas holiday, and decorating his home. Many organizations benefited from his generosity, especially Seven Hills Homeless Shelter. Lyman will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Lyman was preceded in death by his parents. His father, J.D. Lyman, was a long-time educator in the Fayetteville school system and a principal at Root Elementary. He was survived by his special friend, Paula Willis, of Fayetteville, his aunts and uncle, Bertha Easterling of Huntsville; Donnie Jean Grigg of Kingston; Roy and Frances Gurley of Flagstaff, Arizona; and many cousins and his special friends at the Village Inn restaurant.

Funeral Services were held May 5 at Liberty Cemetery with Larry Mitchell officiating. Pallbearers were Craig Thompson, Brian Blevins, Ethan Sprinkle, James Snow, Mackenzie Phillips, and Joe Lyman. Interment immediately follow services at Liberty Cemetery, Dry Fork. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike Lyman’s name may be made to Liberty Cemetery, c/o Harold Logan, 3501 Highway 412, Berryville, AR 72616. Services were through Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

Obituary for Gregg Parker

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Photo of Gregg Parker holding a quite small fish.
Gregg Parker with one of the largest fishes he ever caught.

Gregg Weston Parker of Harrison died March 23, 2020. He was 61. He was born July 17, 1958, to Wylie and Janis Parker.

Parker was a man of integrity, filled with love and generosity for his family and friends. He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and a member of the Class of ’76.

He was a member of the Future Farmers of America in high school, competing with classmate Jeff Bailey in the state convention at Hot Springs. He also competed in PeeWee and Babe Ruth League baseball through junior high and high school, playing for the First National team.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas and the New England Culinary Institute. While in college, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was owner of Parker’s RV Park in Harrison for over 20 years before retiring this past year.

He is survived by his parents; sisters Melanie Cash and Brooke Sisney; his devoted uncles and aunts: Wayne and Hattie Parker, Wendell and Joan Parker, and Weston and Anne Rogers; his nephews and niece: Austin, Taylor, Parker and Presleigh; and many loving cousins.

Parker will be remembered for his big heart, exceptional sense of humor, warm smile, and his endless love of fishing. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks.

Obituary for Allen “Duane” Dunn

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Photo of Duane Dunn
Duane Dunn

Allen “Duane” Dunn, age 60, of Fayetteville died Saturday, June 15, at Washington Regional Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his father Allen L. “Sonny” Dunn and nephew Joshua Dunn.

Duane was born August 9, 1958, in Fayetteville and lived here all his life. He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and earned a Freshman Academic Scholarship to the University of Arkansas. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences. He worked at Terra Studios near Durham for 32 years.

He is survived by his mother Mary Lou (Pearce) Dunn; his sister Sherry Ann Dunn; stepson Jimmy Baker and his wife Patti; step-grandchildren Cassanie, Katie, Evie, Mary, J.W. and Tori, and several aunts, uncles, cousins and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. Thursday June 20, at Moore’s Chapel. Cremation under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.

Obituary for Michael Anthony Buchanan Sr.

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Photo of Michael Buchanan
Michael Buchanan

Michael Anthony Buchanan Sr., 61, died April 12, 2019, in Fayetteville. He was born February 19, 1957, to Carl and Dorthy Buchanan.

He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and earned an associate’s degree. He was a generous, warm hearted individual who always had a smile on his face. He was so passionate about sports that he umpired and refereed games all over Northwest Arkansas. Michael was always a joy to be around and his humor and positive attitude always lit up the room.

Friends and classmates recalled his “kind and caring nature, and his ferocious competitive spirit and talent.” On the football team, his jersey was No. 1, and he played like it. He also ran track and field.

High school portrait of Michael BuchananHis long-time friend, Greg Flowers, was born three days earlier than Michael and died two years ago. Back in 1964, Flowers and Buchanan attended a Boys Club summer camp just before first grade. Greg called Michael “mashed potatoes” and Michael called Greg “gravy.”

Survivors included two sons, Micheal Anthony Buchanan Jr. and Tyron Mahone, and one daughter, Miranda Reamy. His service was held Saturday, April 20, at the Church of Christ in Fayetteville.

Obituary for Cristina Arias

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Cristina Antonia Arias, 60, passed into the arms of a greater universe and surrounded by love on March 13, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born January 16, 1959, to Bogddy Wus and the late Eduardo M. Arias in General Roca, Rio Negro, Argentina.

Cris was raised by her mother and maternal grandmother, Cristina Korch Wus. As a young child, she moved to the United States with her mother and grandmother when her mother received a scholarship to study abroad. Her mother studied at the University of Arkansas and obtained her doctorate in comparative literature in 1967. Her Ukrainian maternal grandparents escaped post-revolutionary Russia by boat and immigrated to Argentina. Her grandmother spoke only Ukrainian and Spanish so Cris served as her English translator growing up. Her paternal grandmother was a concert pianist.

Cris attended the Fayetteville public schools, the University of Arkansas and received a Master of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Cris married and had one daughter, Ashley Barker, with her former spouse, Lonnie Barker.

Cris initially worked as a social worker for the state of Oklahoma in the rural community of Holdenville. She described the practice as “pioneer mental health services,” carrying medications in her car trunk and interacting with local officials. In 1995, she returned to Fayetteville to work for Ozark Guidance Center. Cris served as director of mental health services at Washington Regional Medical Center from 2002 until 2009, at which time she transitioned to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Northwest Campus to assist in establishing the psychiatric inpatient unit at Northwest Medical Center. In 2018, she accepted a position with the Community Clinic.

Cris made numerous lifelong friends throughout her professional career. Her family and friends are grateful for the incredible support the Community Clinic gave her during her illness. Throughout her career, Cris was admired as a skilled clinician and administrator, passionate teacher, community activist and loving friend. Her work with the Judicial Equality for Mental Illness led to the founding of a crisis stabilization unit in northwest Arkansas. In 2019, she was named the University of Arkansas Social Work Department Clinical Instructor of the Year.

Cris found much joy in her work, traveling the world, enduring friendships, beloved pets, knitting and spiritual exploration. She had a gift for finding the hurt and healing it. The light of the world has momentarily dimmed with her absence but her life’s work and loving relationships have forged a brighter future.

Of all her roles, she most enjoyed and cherished being grandmother. She was intensely involved in her grandchildren’s lives. Hateya, Kavian, Aria and Kairo were the light and soul of her life.

Cris is survived by her daughter, Ashley Barker, four grandchildren, and mother, Bogddy Arias.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit.

To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Obituary for Stephen Harris

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Photo of Steve Harris
Steve Harris

Stephen Lee Harris died September 23, 2018, at Norman, Oklahoma. He was born May 6, 1958, in Cheverly, Maryland, the youngest of three children born to Grover and Sara Harris.

He grew up in Fayetteville and attended United Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1976 and then went to the University of Arkansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in geology. After graduation, he soon moved to Oklahoma to work in the oil industry.

The writer of an obituary for Harris said, “Stephen departed to the big oilfield in the sky.”

The writer said that Stephen, who throughout school had an acerbic sense of humor, put life quite well when he said: “Hey guys, FYI: If you are reading this then something has happened to me. No worries!!!! It’s been one helluva good ride!!!! Thanks for everything. Live long and prosper.”