Arthur Eugene Raff Jr. "Gene", 76, of Helena departed this life on March 10, 2010 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Helena to Florence Underwood Raff and the late Arthur (Toots) Raff.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Krone Raff; two children, a son, Arthur E. Raff III of Cabot and daughter, Charlotte Santa Cruz of Bay St. Louis, Miss., eight grandchildren; his mother Florence Raff of Helena; and sister, Kathy Campbell of Hot Springs and brother, Chris Raff of Searcy.
He was a lifelong resident of Helena. After graduating from Helena High School in 1951, he attended the University of Arkansas and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Upon completing one year of college, he was drafted by the Army with a tour of duty in Korea. After two years in the army, he returned to the University of Arkansas where he received a BS in Business Administration. Following graduation he and his wife moved to St. Louis where Carnation Co. employed Mr. Raff in their executive training program. One year later, he decided to pursue a law career and returned to Fayetteville where he received a law degree in 1962.
While working toward his law degree, Raff was selected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1961. He also received the Wachtel Achievement Award from both the University of Purdue and the University of Kentucky for excellence in debating. He was the recipient of the American Juris Prudence Award in Labor Law. He was admitted to the bar of the State of Arkansas, the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, St. Louis, Mo., and admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1968.
During his lifetime Raff received numerous honors throughout the state of Arkansas for his leadership and contributions to his profession. He was selected as an Outstanding Alumnus, U of A School of Law, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Phillips County Community College; Board of Trustees, National River Academy; Commissioner Arkansas Drug Abuse Authority; Vice-Chairman, Arkansas State Criminal Detention Facilities Board. He also served as President of the Prosecuting Attorney's Association for the State of Arkansas; member and State Director of the National District Attorneys Association; Member of the Board of Directors, University of Arkansas Alumni Association and Commissioner of the Arkansas State Library Commission.
Raff was proud to serve his state as prosecuting attorney of the 1st Judicial District for 18 years. He was appointed by Gov. Bill Clinton to serve on the Arkansas State Police Commission. His term of service was 7 years, several of which he was elected chairman of the commission.
Raff also was well known for his high profile trials as prosecutor. His love of the law was his passion, and he received national recognition as one of the best prosecutors in the country with his winning track record and his relentless pursuit of justice in both drug enforcement and crime prevention.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Delta, in care of Southern Bancorp, 425 East Plaza, West Helena, AR 72390 or the charity of choice.
A graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery Saturday, March 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the column barium.
A reception will follow the service at St. John's Episcopal Church.
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Arthur Eugene Raff Jr. "Gene", 76, of Helena departed this life on March 10, 2010 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Helena to Florence Underwood Raff and the late Arthur (Toots) Raff.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Krone Raff; two children, a son, Arthur E. Raff III of Cabot and daughter, Charlotte Santa Cruz of Bay St. Louis, Miss., eight grandchildren; his mother Florence Raff of Helena; and sister, Kathy Campbell of Hot Springs and brother, Chris Raff of Searcy.
He was a lifelong resident of Helena. After graduating from Helena High School in 1951, he attended the University of Arkansas and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Upon completing one year of college, he was drafted by the Army with a tour of duty in Korea. After two years in the army, he returned to the University of Arkansas where he received a BS in Business Administration. Following graduation he and his wife moved to St. Louis where Carnation Co. employed Mr. Raff in their executive training program. One year later, he decided to pursue a law career and returned to Fayetteville where he received a law degree in 1962.
While working toward his law degree, Raff was selected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1961. He also received the Wachtel Achievement Award from both the University of Purdue and the University of Kentucky for excellence in debating. He was the recipient of the American Juris Prudence Award in Labor Law. He was admitted to the bar of the State of Arkansas, the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, St. Louis, Mo., and admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1968.
During his lifetime Raff received numerous honors throughout the state of Arkansas for his leadership and contributions to his profession. He was selected as an Outstanding Alumnus, U of A School of Law, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Phillips County Community College; Board of Trustees, National River Academy; Commissioner Arkansas Drug Abuse Authority; Vice-Chairman, Arkansas State Criminal Detention Facilities Board. He also served as President of the Prosecuting Attorney's Association for the State of Arkansas; member and State Director of the National District Attorneys Association; Member of the Board of Directors, University of Arkansas Alumni Association and Commissioner of the Arkansas State Library Commission.
Raff was proud to serve his state as prosecuting attorney of the 1st Judicial District for 18 years. He was appointed by Gov. Bill Clinton to serve on the Arkansas State Police Commission. His term of service was 7 years, several of which he was elected chairman of the commission.
Raff also was well known for his high profile trials as prosecutor. His love of the law was his passion, and he received national recognition as one of the best prosecutors in the country with his winning track record and his relentless pursuit of justice in both drug enforcement and crime prevention.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Delta, in care of Southern Bancorp, 425 East Plaza, West Helena, AR 72390 or the charity of choice.
A graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery Saturday, March 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the column barium.
A reception will follow the service at St. John's Episcopal Church.
