Friends and family remember Frank Scroggins

‘Man’s man’ stood on solid ground in Lafayette County

Friends, family remember Frank Scroggins

Frank Scroggins passionately served Lafayette County as county judge for the last 21 years and he is often described as a man’s man. Scroggins died unexpectedly at his home Aug. 27, 2011.

Brenda, his wife of 42 years, said Frank’s life was all about serving the people of Lafayette County. He and Brenda grew up together in Stamps and later married.

He started his political and public service career early on in his life and he was elected county judge in 1991 after serving on the Stamps City Council as well as serving as a volunteer fireman for the Stamps community.

“Frank Scroggins was a man of character who loved to serve the public,” said Chris Villines, AAC executive director. “He cared about what he did for his county and was a mentor to many county officials on all levels. He will be dearly missed.”

Scroggins was born in Shreveport, La., on April 1, 1949, and is survived by Brenda; his son Mike Scroggins and wife, Nikki, of Shreveport, La.; his mother Lenora B. Cook of Stamps; brother, George F. Scroggins of Stamps; four granddaughters: Maggie and Molly Scroggins, Hannah and Lyndsey Medellin, all of Shreveport.

Scroggins served on the Stamps City Council while he also worked offshore for an oil company in the 1980s. Brenda told the Texarkana Gazette that Frank was working two weeks on and two weeks off at the time and one day “he came in from offshore and told me ‘I’m gonna run for county judge.’”

His calling to public service was sealed when he won a three-way race for Lafayette County Judge in 1991.

Lafayette County experienced population declines and economic struggles during his service time, but Brenda said he stayed the course and kept the people he served at the forefront. He helped to establish a solid waste program in the county and also helped to upgrade its 911 system.

He also saw a $4.5 million jail come to fruition that was completed in 2008.

Scroggins’ impact on counties in general spanned beyond the borders of Lafayette County. He served as president of the County Judges Association and was admired as much as he was respected.

“I can’t even take his number out of my phone,” said Arkansas County Judge Sonny Cox, Scroggins’ long-time friend.

Cox said he met Scroggins in 1992 at newly elected official training and he had the privilege of succeeding Scroggins as president of the County Judges Association.

“He took me under his wing and became a dear friend. I miss him every day. We would talk a couple times a day and our family had become friends. Frank was a dedicated public servant who always looked after the taxpayer’s money,” Cox said.

Comments about Frank Scroggins – the man, the public servant

“When I think of Frank Scroggins I immediately think of two things: a man that was passionate about taking care of Lafayette County and a man who was tagged with the proper given name — ‘Frank’ — to match his personality. The common definition of the adjective ‘frank’ is completely honest. Synonyms include words like candid, direct, outspoken, straightforward and plainspoken. Frank Scroggins was straightforward and plainspoken and those attributes served him well as Lafayette County Judge and as a long-time trustee of the AAC Risk Management Fund. And he did not have to use the whole dictionary to get his point across. He was a believer in the Thomas Jefferson theory: ‘The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.’ I believe Frank Scroggins will be remembered as the Harry S. Truman (who was a county commissioner/ judge before becoming President) of Arkansas county government – the plain-speaking, tough-but-fair exemplar of what a chief county executive should be. I will miss him.” — Eddie Jones, former AAC executive director, current county consultant judges in the midst of a storm. He was a peacekeeper, so to speak. He tried to be a voice of reason for many of us [county judges]. If Frank told you something, you could count on it and I always respected him for that. Frank acted in a way that I think all elected officials should. When you spend 20-plus years as an elected official in today’s age, that speaks volumes of the kind of person you are.” — Mark McElroy, Desha County Judge

“Frank really knew what he was doing and I will miss him as a friend and a board member. Frank was very professional. He did a good job of being an elected official because he took care of business and he cared for his employees and they respected him. He will most definitely be missed, not just by his family but also by the brotherhood of county judges and county officials. You are doing right if you serve as an elected official as long as Frank did. Frank knew what was going on from the top to the bottom of that county. I miss him greatly and I could always call Frank for advice.” — Max Tackett, executive director of Upper S.W. Regional Solid Waste Management District, former Howard County judge

“He was a man among men and a judge among judges. Frank was a leader with a great personality. He had that big ol’ smile and he eased around listening more than he spoke, but when he spoke, I listened.” — Joe Bodenhamer, Baxter County Judge

“Frank Scroggins was a man’s man. You never wondered where Frank stood on an issue or what he was thinking. He was upfront, loud and extremely passionate about his feelings. Sometimes, he didn’t need to be asked how he felt, because he was going to tell you anyway. Frank and I took office at the same time in 1991. We struck a friendship at the newly elected seminar and that friendship fully matured over the years. We would talk several times each week about work or family situations and Frank always made me feel good after our conversations. We all have good friends, but Frank was a very special friend that I will never forget. My life is truly better having known Frank Scroggins. Frank, we all miss you. — Mike Jacobs, AAC board president and Johnson County Judge

Frank Scroggins (April 1, 1949- Aug. 27, 2011)

Sources:

Lafayette County Press Texarkana Gazette.