Lynwood Dean Cathey

Lynwood believed in his Savior Jesus Christ. He was an active member of Hickory Grove Chapel in El Dorado, Arkansas.

Basketball was Lynwood’s passion. After graduating from Smackover High School, he served two years in the U. S. Army as Medical Aidman. He enrolled in Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas, to play basketball and to pursue his dream of coaching. While playing basketball for Southern State College, his team won the NAIA District 17 Championship in 1957.

Lynwood’s first coaching job was head basketball coach at White Hall High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He led the team to win the State Championship in 1966. He was hired as assistant basketball coach at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and was later hired as the head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas in Monticello. A few years after leaving his collegiate career, he coached basketball at Hermitage High School. In 1983, Lynwood was hired as basketball coach and driver’s education instructor at Mt. Holly High School in Mt. Holly, Arkansas. When Mt. Holly consolidated with the Smackover Public School in 2005, Lynwood continued as assistant basketball coach and driver’s ed instructor. He retired in 2010.

Lynwood coached 46 years receiving many awards, honors and recognitions. He was inducted into the White Hall High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Union County Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. His greatest reward as “Coach” was his relationships with his players.

Lynwood was preceded in death by parents and son, Charles Michael Cathey, sisters Gurlayne Cathey and Thelma Jean Redding, brother, Grady Hillman Cathey, nephew, Lewis Hillman Wray, brothers-in-law Joe Nash and Richard Nash.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Joyce Nash Cathey, his sons, Dr. Steven Lynn Cathey, and John Haltom (Mylinda), along with his daughter, Kayla Haltom Hebert (Matt). Surviving grandchildren are Michael Riley Cathey, Elizabeth Lynn Cathey, Camille Hebert, Elise Hebert, River Haltom, and Anna Haltom, sisters-in-law: Lula Mae Cathey, Jacque Ford (Danny), Camile Lenderman (Don), Darlene Nash, Janie Held, brothers-in-law: Charles Nash (Joyce), Danny Nash (Betsy), and Dewayne Nash (JoAnn). Surviving nieces: Susan Wray, Becky Wray Futrell (Dwight), Kelley Cathey Smith (Tommy) and nephew: Mark Ray Cathey. Also surviving are numerous step-nieces and step-nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be at Young’s Funeral Directors Chapel in El Dorado, Arkansas on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until service time of 11:00 a.m. with his pastor Truett West officiating. Interment will follow in the Smackover Cemetery in Smackover, Arkansas under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

The family extends loving appreciation to his church family, friends, Karen Everett-APN, Debra Jones, Dohnna Williams, and his LifeTouch Arkansas Hospice care team.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Chapel, 685 Agnes Road, El Dorado, AR 71730 or to LifeTouch Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116.