Former Arkansas Governor Dies

Sid McMath, a war hero, crusading prosecutor and popular governor of Arkansas by age 40, died at his home in Little Rock late last night. McMath was released from the hospital Wednesday, after being examined for an irregular heartbeat. His death was announced by the office of current Governor Mike Huckabee. McMath`s careers began with the military, moved to public service as a prosecutor and governor, and finished with a decades-long law practice in Little Rock. After two terms as governor, McMath spent more that 50 years living down claims of corruption in his administration, which derailed the career of a political prodigy who seemed destined for national office. In his book, "Promises Kept," released this year, McMath chronicled a dozen years of public service that began with World War Two gallantry in the South Pacific. It ended in 1952 with his defeat for a third term as governor in the throws of a highway spending scandal that he insisted was politically motivated. In 1954, McMath made an unsuccessful attempt to oust Senator John McClellan, a Democrat. In 1962, McMath ran again for gubernatorial nomination, but lost to then-Governor Orval Faubus. Fifty years after he left the governor`s office, McMath remained a crusader for better public schools. As governor, he was instrumental in reducing the number of school districts across the state from 17-hundred to 320. At the end, he thought 308 still were too many. In 1979 and 1999, McMath ranked fourth in polls ranking the top Arkansas governors of the 20th century. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock surveyed Arkansas historians, political scientists, journalists and others. McMath is survived by his wife Betty Dortch Russell McMath, sons Phillip, Sandy and Bruce, daughters Patricia and Melissa, as well as ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. McMath`s body will lie in state tomorrow at the State Capitol, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 8 at 2 p.m. McMath will be buried with full military honors following the service at Pinecrest Cemetery.