Hundreds filled the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado Wednesday to honor the life of Jodie Mahony. Mahony, who became a fixture in Arkansas politics after nearly four decades in the state Legislature, died Saturday night at the age of 70 after a long bout with cancer.
Dozens of Arkansas legislators, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, and former governors Jim Guy Tucker and David Pryor were among the dignitaries in attendance.
During the service, Beebe said that “there will never be anyone like Jodie Mahony” again in Arkansas’ legislative body.
“When you’re known by one name,” Beebe said, noting that Mahony was known as simply “Jodie” by hundreds across Arkansas and, indeed, this entire region.
“And when that one name is associated with excellence and a worthy cause, it elevates you to a different plain. It makes you a different person. That one name has to be associated with excellence, and in Jodie we had that name coupled with excellence and a worthy cause.”
Beryl Anthony Jr., a close friend of Mahony’s since childhood, told of hunting trip antics and other moments that were “uniquely Jodie.”
“One of my favorite stories about Jodie…we were fishing in a little 16-foot aluminum boat, and I just happened to catch the spot (where all the fish were biting),” Anthony said. “Then all of the sudden this pole comes over my left shoulder. And It’s Jodie fishing cork to cork.
“He turned around and looked at me and said: ‘Fishermen have no conscience.’”
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Anthony also told the crowd — in tongue-in-cheek fashion — that he had a hand in helping to kick-start Mahony’s political career. He said that one day he (Anthony) was approached by the late Charles Murphy, founder of Murphy Oil Corporation, about running for the House of Representatives.
But he politely told Murphy that he had his sights set on becoming a prosecuting attorney and instead recommended his good friend Jodie Mahony for the position. Murphy met with Mahony and convinced him to run. And “Jodie stayed there for 36 years,” Anthony said.
To close his remarks, Anthony described the last time he saw Mahony. The two met at the Anthony Forest Products offices in downtown El Dorado and talked for more than an hour.
Anthony said the meeting was one of the best times of his life.
As Mahony left, he hesitated at the door, turned around and told Anthony that he loved him.
“I said, I love you, too,” Anthony told the crowd.
“May he rest in peace.”
• • •
The Southern Regional Education Board issued a statement on Mahony’s passing. He served for 22 years on that board. Follow is an excerpt:
“Jodie was a legend among SREB’s 16 member states for his unwavering dedication to improving public education. He continually challenged Arkansas and our 15 other member states to provide better educational opportunities for students and raise academic standards. He partnered with SREB to help states improve education on many other fronts.”
Click here for the rest of the statement.