Gary Stubblefield
| Gary Don Stubblefield | |
 | |
Arkansas State Senator
for District 6 (Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Yell counties) | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Holland |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Matt McKee |
Arkansas State Representative
for District 67 (Franklin County) | |
| In office January 2011 – January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Breedlove |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Meeks |
| Born | February 28, 1951 Charleston, Franklin County, Arkansas |
| Died | September 2, 2025 (aged 74)[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kathi Lynn Stubblefield |
| Children | Joshua McCain Stubblefield Amber Stubblefield Sullivan |
| Residence | Branch, Franklin County, Arkansas |
| Alma mater | County Line High School |
| Occupation | Dairy farmer |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Gary Don Stubblefield (February 28, 1951 – September 2, 2025)[2] was a farmer from rural Branch in Franklin County in western Arkansas, who from 2013 to 2025 was a Republican state senator. His District 6 encompasses Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Yell counties. He represented the cities of Booneville, Ozark, and Clarksville. From 2011 to 2013, he was a state representative for District 67 in Franklin County.[3]
Background
Stubblefield was born in Charleston in Johnson County to H. T. "Tottie" and Beulah Mae Mantooth Stubblefield. His parents were small-scale farmers of chickens along with a berry patch. He lived in a two-bedroom house with a wash tub for baths, and water hauled into the house and heated up on a wood stove. He cared for all people from all walks of life. For a time he attended a one-room schoolhouse in Cecil, Arkansas. The family relocated from Mill Creek Mountain to the valley farm in Branch that his parents bought, which included 120 acres of wooded land that they cleared by hand. Later the Stubblefields bought a few Holstein milk cows and refurbished the milk barn that was on the farm. When he was eleven years of age, he milked before and after school each day.[4]
In 1969, he graduated from County Line High School in Branch. He then attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he played football from 1969 to 1971 for the Arkansas Razorbacks though he had no prior experience in the sport because his high school had no football team. He eventually played in the Cotton and Liberty bowls.[4] A dairy farmer,[5] Stubblefield owned Valley View Farms in Branch. He was formerly a member of the County Line School Board and the Franklin County Quorum Court, equivalent to the county commission in most states. He and his wife, Kathi Lynn Stubblefield, have two children, Joshua Stubblefield and Amber Stubblefield Sullivan.[3]
Political life
Stubblefield was elected to the state Senate on November 6, 2012, when he defeated the Democrat John Paul Wells, a furniture store owner and a former member of the Arkansas House from Paris in Logan County, who was allied with Governor Mike Beebe.[3]
A pro-life legislator, Stubblefield voted to ban abortions after twenty weeks of gestation or whenever the fetal heartbeat is determined, which is six weeks. He voted to declare the death of a fetus as a felony in certain situations.[6] Stubblefield explains, "As someone born and raised in rural Arkansas, I understand the importance of conservative family values. I have stood up for the rights of the unborn child, and I will always protect their rights as a state senator."[3]
As a representative, Stubblefield voted to allow university and college staff to carry concealed weapons on campus to enhance security. He voted to require picture identification for voting. He voted to allow the sale in Arkansas of unpasteurized whole milk. He voted for a spending cap on state spending; this passed the House by two votes. In 2011, he opposed the ban on cell phones, which was implemented in school zones for safety reasons.[6]
In 2013, Senator Stubblefield voted for a Republican bill to amend state income taxes. He supported legislation to make the office of prosecuting attorney in Arkansas nonpartisan. He voted to test recipients of unemployment compensation for narcotics. He also voted to reduce benefits to the unemployed. Stubblefield did not vote on a failed proposal to require a racial-impact statement regarding crimes.[6]
References
- ↑ Arkansas Sen. Gary Stubblefield dies at 74. msn.com. Retrieved on December 21, 2025.
- ↑ Gary Stubblefield. Mylife.com. Retrieved on January 11, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Rep. Stubblefield to enter Senate race," the city wire.com, October 4, 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Senator Gary Don Stubblefield obituary. Brotherton Brothers Funeral Homes. Retrieved on December 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Stubblefield, Wells Vie For Senate 6 Position," Fort Smith Southwest Times Record, September 29, 2012.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Gary Stubblefield's Voting Records. votesmart.org. Retrieved on January 11, 2021.