Charles Ferriter

Charles F. "Butch" Ferriter will be forever remembered for his devotion to family and friends, the respect he earned professionally, and the positive impact he had on the students he taught and coached. Butch passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Among his many friends, Coach Lawrence Mobley described Butch as being an outstanding athlete; a man very respectful of other people. Mike McGibbony said, "He was like a brother to me-I felt like the same blood ran through our veins." John Robinson shared those same sentiments, when he had a chance to play professional ball and the only letter of encouragement he received was from Butch; "He was the best friend I ever had." Many would describe him as the fairest, most principled man they had ever met, earning the love and respect of all those whose lives he touched.
Butch was a 1957 graduate of Central High School, where he played on the 1956-1957 Big 8 Championship Team, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello where he lettered in basketball. His coaching career took him to McGehee High School where he coached two championship teams, taking them to the State playoffs, and on to Texarkana where he was Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Football Coach.
One of his greatest accomplishments was the establishment of the athletic program at Pulaski Academy, where in his nine years with the Academy, his teams became among the most respected in the Mid-South Association of Non-public Schools (MANS). During his tenure at Pulaski Academy, he fought to obtain and won membership for the school in the Arkansas Activities Association, where he served many years on the Board of Directors. Coach Ferriter's dedication and loyalty to the students of Pulaski Academy earned him the honor of having the 1980 school yearbook dedicated to him. A website has been established by "Butch's Kids" (all his former students), www.butchisms.com, inviting contributions of the Coach's memorable "one-liners".
Butch will be missed by those he left behind, especially his loving wife, Jauan Ferriter; sister, Chris Curley; step-daughter, Holly Francis; and the light of his life, his granddaughter, Madelyn James, who was the daughter he never had. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Connie Quimby Ferriter; mother and step-father, Mildred and C. J. Curley; and one of "Butch's Brothers", Harry Vines.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of Baptist Hospital and Baptist Hospice for their compassionate care of Butch and his family.
The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 30, at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, officiated by Rev. Steve Hancock. Honorary pallbearers will be "Butch's Brothers", Bob Russell, Mike McGibbony and John Robinson; all of the former athletes he coached, and all the coaches he worked with through the years. After the service, the family will receive friends during a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Baptist Hospice 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Suite 2000, Little Rock, AR, 72210-2820, or to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72227.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200.