Sicard service set; Officials comment on his death
by August 8, 2011 4:12 pm 518 views
Respected and influential banker Sam M. Sicard will be laid to rest Wednesday (Aug. 10) with a private graveside ceremony following a 10 a.m. service at Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Fort Smith.
A rosary service will be held 7 p.m., Aug. 9, at Immaculate Conception. (See the complete obit at the end of this story.)
Sicard, chairman, president and CEO of First National Bank of Fort Smith, died Sunday morning (Aug. 7) following a heart attack while attending St. Boniface church. He was 70.
Sicard was elected president of the large regional bank holding company in 1977 and eventually added the title of bank board chairman. During his tenure, the bank saw remarkable growth. In 1989, the bank was formed into a holding company — First Bank Corp. — and acquired National Bank of Sallisaw, Citizens Bank & Trust of Van Buren, Bank of Rogers and Brown-Hiller-Clark & Associates.
On Monday, political and business leaders commented on Sicard’s passing. City of Fort Smith officials specifically praised his 32 years as chairman of the Central Business Improvement District. Sicard was a founding member of the district created in the mid-1970s to revitalize a dying downtown Fort Smith.
During that time, Sicard was instrumental in the construction of the State Office Building in 1978, downtown apartments, streetscaping projects, trolley extension and a more than $50 million voter approved package that included expansion of the Fort Smith Convention Center and significant improvements to the Riverfront Park.
COMMENTS ON SICARD’S PASSING
• U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.
“Known for his quiet leadership, personal strength and generosity, Sam was a pillar of the community. He believed in Fort Smith and sought to encourage the city’s growth while maintaining a commitment to its unique character, which is why his leadership on projects like the Marshals Museum was so vital. Sam is in a better place now, but thanks to his efforts, he left Fort Smith a better place for us down here.”
• U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers
"In every corner of the Third District, there are those whose vision and leadership have had a profound impact on the communities they serve. In the greater Fort Smith region, there is no better example of a selfless leader than Sam Sicard. His love and commitment to his community and fellow man was evidenced through his work on their behalf-most often without the need for credit."
• State Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith
“Fort Smith was fortunate to have a man of Mr. Sicard’s character and caliber here in such an influential position, and we will both miss his presence and feel his compassion for many years. He leaves a legacy of sincerity, integrity, humility, and generosity, and I am blessed to have been able to call both him and his family friends.”
• Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders
“Like so many people, I leaned on Sam for advice and counsel, and I truly valued his friendship. Sam was often the last to speak in a group discussion but, when he spoke, we immediately knew his guidance was the way to go. He was wise and thoughtful; never bombastic, and we all wanted to follow his example.”
• Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack
“Sam was quietly active in bringing jobs to our region. He also understood that, in order to attract higher-wage jobs to Fort Smith in the 21st century, we need a vibrant nonprofit sector. Sam spent a lot of time assisting organizations like the United Way, the Fort Smith Symphony, and the U.S. Marshals Museum.”
• Richard Griffin, Fort Smith businessman and chairman of the Central Business Improvement District Commission
“Sam Sicard was a lion in this community! He was not a tiger, he was a lion! Sam, a quiet leader, was reticent; that is he was disposed to be silent. He was reserved but when he chose to speak we listened and the community was a better place for having heard. His fingerprint of leadership and generosity, though not always discernible, impacted this entire region of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. We shall miss this quiet lion.”
• Paul Harvel, president, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
“I’ve known him since the 1970s. The one thing about him that stands out in my mind, is that he is a guy who never wanted credit for anything. He was the key to so much good that has happened in this region and this state and most people don’t know what he did. Recognition was something that was never important to him. Also, of all the people I’ve worked with over the years, I’ve never seen a father-son combination like Sam M. and Sam T. All either of them want want to do is help.”
SICARD OBIT
Samuel M. Sicard, 70, of Fort Smith, died August 7, 2011 in Fort Smith. He was born October 1, 1940 in Fort Smith to McLoud and Lucy Katherine Harper Sicard. He was the President, Chairman and CEO of the First National Bank of Fort Smith and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Sam was a true servant leader that deeply cared for the progress and success of our community. He gave countless hours of his time to various philanthropic causes that have, and will continue touching many lives. He served on the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation Board of Directors, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, The United Way Endowment Board Committee, U.S. Marshal’s Museum Board of Directors, Brown-Hiller-Clark & Associated Board of Directors, First Bank Corp Chairman of the Board, Citizens Bank and Trust Board of Directors, and the National Bank of Sallisaw Chairman of the Board.
Over the years, he has been a board member of countless other organizations that serve our community. Sam was also an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, he enjoyed golfing and fishing with his buddies, but most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Sam’s warm smile will be remembered by all.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Caldarera Sicard of the Home; one son, Samuel T. and wife Jennifer Sicard of Fort Smith; three step children, Joshua, Rebecca, and Jessica Cobb all of Fort Smith; one sister, Lucy and her husband Bill Buergler of Fort Smith; and four grandchildren, Ava and Layton Sicard, Stella Cobb, and Adrienne Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, McLoud and Lucy Katherine "Tachy" Sicard; brother, Fred Sicard; his first wife and mother of his children, Melissa Smith Sicard; and daughter, Caroline Sicard.
Rosary will be said on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a Memorial Mass will be said on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Morgan Bryant, Charles Ledbetter, Carl Davis, Jack Leding, Marshall Yantis, S. Birnie Harper, Bill Buergler, Mont Echols, Delbert McConnell, and Robert A. Young, III. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Fort Smith.
The family will greet friends in the Galvin Parish Center following the Mass, and additional seating will be available in the Galvin Parish Center with closed circuit TV connection during the Mass.
Memorials may be made the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, Inc 4905 North "O" Street Fort Smith, AR 72904; the U.S. Marshal’s Museum 100 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901; or the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church P.O. Box 1866 Fort Smith, AR 72902