Sen. Greg Standridge of Russellville dies at 50

Sen. Greg Standridge, R-Russellville, who represents Arkansas Senate District 16 in Newton and Pope counties and parts of Boone, Carroll and Van Buren counties, died Thursday morning (Nov. 16) after a long bout with cancer. He was 50 years old.

The Russellville native and insurance agent and president of CSI Insurance was first elected to office in a special election in 2015, and most recently served as co-chairman of the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Game & Fish and State Police Committee. He was also a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of SLC, the Labor and Economic Development Standing Committee of NCSL, the Energy and Environmental Public Policy Task Force of CSG and the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force of ALEC.

During the 90th General Assembly, he served as a member of several committees, including Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs; Senate City, County and Local Affairs; Senate Children and Youth; Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Oversight; Intermodal Transportation and Commerce Task Force; Economic and Tax Policy and Boys State.

Regionally and nationally, Standridge also worked with legislators across the United States as a member of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments (CSG) and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

“I am saddened by the passing of Sen. Greg Standridge — a friend and dedicated public servant. I recently visited with Greg in his home, and even with his illness, he was a source of encouragement and strength. Greg served his community with distinction, and he loved his family most of all. Greg’s passing is a great loss for our state, and he will be missed,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement.

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and several of Standridge’s fellow legislators in the Senate offered their condolences through media statements and social media posts.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Sen. Greg Standridge after his courageous battle with cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” Griffin said. “Greg was a tireless advocate, and this is a tremendous loss to our state. My heart also goes out to his friends and colleagues in the Senate as we grieve the loss of one of our own.”

Added President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang said: “To know Greg was to love him. He brought joy and kindness with him wherever he went.  He served his constituents wholeheartedly, and he was led by his faith and by his conscience. Our prayers are with Karen and their children, and we are forever grateful to them for sharing Greg with us. I am a better person because of his friendship and the state of Arkansas is better because of his leadership. We will miss him dearly.”

In his hometown, Standridge was a member of the Russellville Lions Club and the Russellville & London Masonic Lodge. He was also a volunteer fireman and a member of the Pope County EMS Rescue Squad and has been recognized by many organizations and groups, including Lion of the Year.

A native of Russellville, Standridge attended Arkansas Tech University.  He is survived by his wife, Karen, and four children. They are members of the First Baptist Church or Russellville. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.