MAJOR(RET.) RICHARD "PETE" E. LIVELY
November 18, 1920 - January 19, 2015
Major (Ret.) Richard E. “Pete” Lively, my father and my hero, went to be with our Heavenly Father on January 19, 2015, and to be with the family who have gone before.

He was born November 18, 1920, in Taylor, Arkansas, to Dewey and Phoebe Taylor Lively. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives Louise Swartout Lively and Bonnie E. Johnson Lively; his brothers, Willie “Bill” Lively, David “Bo” Lively, and James “Ninky” Lively; and his sister, Janie Lively King.

He is survived by his sons Colonel (Ret.) David A. (Linda) Lively of Hope, AR, and Richard A. Lively of Little Rock, Arkansas; his brother Tommy (Sylvia) Lively of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; his half-brother Robert (Ruth) Lively of Nashville, Arkansas; his sister, Margaret Lively McKenzie of Whelen Springs, Arkansas; his half-sisters, Martha, Pat, and Linda; his grandchildren, Robert (Jayme)Sigman and Stanley (Kathy) Sigman, all of Weatherford, Texas; Rainna (Shorty) Lively Ghormley of Hope, and David A. (Jessica) Lively II of Hope; his ten great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Major Lively began his government service with the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, working for one and half years in the Friendship area and making $30 a month, $25 of which he sent home to help his family. He returned home and went to work on the family farm. He joined the Arkansas National Guard in October 1938 and then went on active duty with the U.S. Army in San Antonio, Texas.

He served in the 102nd Infantry Division at the start of WWII. He fought in Europe and was given a battlefield commission on Dec. 18, 1944. In March 1945 he was captured by the Germans and was liberated April 29, 1945.

After WWII, he remained in the Army. During the Korean War he commanded M Co, 38th Infantry Regiment for the 2nd Infantry Division. Writing a recommendation on an ammo lid and giving the lid to the last medical evacuation helicopter before the Communists overran the base, Major Lively was the first to recommend Sgt. Long of Missouri for the Congressional Medal of Honor, which Sgt. Long was awarded posthumously.

Major Lively retired at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas June 1959. He then worked at a TV station in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He moved to a rural area and began raising Angus cattle. In 1965 he moved back to the Hope area and continued in the cattle and chicken businesses.

His awards and decorations include the Silver Star(gallantry in action); three Bronze Stars (two for valor and one for service); three Purple Hearts for wounds received in action in two wars; two Combat Infantry Badges; and numerous other awards.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Century Bible Class since 1965.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends but we know “Poppaw Pete” is in Heaven, praising his Lord, trying out his new wings, and visiting with those who have gone on before him.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations in his memory to the American Cancer Society, the First United Methodist Church of Hope or the Rafter J Cowboy Church of Hope.

Visitation; 6:00 to 8:00pm, Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home.

Funeral service; 2:00pm Friday, January 23, 2015 in Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home chapel in Hope. Burial to follow, with full Military Honors, in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com

Facts
Born: November 18, 1920
Place of Birth: TAYLOR, ARKANSAS
Death: January 19, 2015
Place of Death: HOPE, ARKANSAS
Occupation: Retired U.S. Army
Hobbies: Raising cattle and enjoying his grandchilden
Organizations: First Methodist Church of Hope

Garden of Hope, row 2