Jodie Mahony dies in El Dorado

Former longtime Arkansas Senator, House member and all around Arkansas politico Jodie Mahony passed away after a long bout with cancer Saturday at age 70. He was a mainstay on the Democrat-Gazette's Top Legislators lists.

From the governor:

"Jodie Mahony never quit. As a legislator, he fought until the end for causes important to him and to the betterment of Arkansans. When term limits dictated that he could no longer serve, Jodie joined the House staff and remained a key advisor on education issues. And when the doctors said that cancer had won, Jodie fought and stayed with us far longer than anyone expected. To his final days, you could find Jodie in the Capitol, still upbeat, still working the halls, and still fighting. Arkansas has lost an outstanding man who exemplifies public service in our State."

I was honored to serve one term with Jodie in the House and learned lots from him in that short time. He carried legislation around in a box and never wanted to chair a committee -- it got in the way of the real work -- shepherding large bills through the legislature, which required hours of debate in all corners of the Capitol. He was knowledgeable in every issue, but he was the go-to person on all aspects of education. Jodie leaves behind his wife of 40 years, two sons and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have been set. Visitation is Tuesday at Young's Funeral Directors in El Dorado from 4 to 6 p.m. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Joseph K. Mahony II Scholarship Fund at the South Arkansas Community College Foundation, 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730, or the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado, 300 East Main, 71730.