Pi Kappa Alpha - Epsilon Phi Alumni

10/10/2026

Congratulations Jack

Congratulations to Jack Bell, one of two recipients of the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award!

A retired school psychologist, Jack earned his master’s degree in school psychology from UCA in 1977. His service to the university includes past terms as president of the UCA Alumni Association and the UCA Public Appearances Community Council, along with involvement in the Purple Circle Board, President’s Society, and Doyne Legacy Society.

Jack credits UCA with helping shape his professional career, making his continued support of the university a natural choice.

“It just seems logical to support an institution that has been so important to our lives,” Jack said. “I am blessed to have been a small part of a great organization that strives to make this wonderful institution better.”

Learn more about Jack and the 2026 Alumni Award recipients at uca.edu/go/AlumniAwards26.

Congratulations, Jack! 💜🐻

10/02/2026

Michael Joseph Skarda, 77, passed away August 21, 2026, at St Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock, AR. Mike was the first-born child of Joe and Cannie Ruth (Childress) Skarda. As the firstborn son, Mike embraced his position in the pecking order and growing up, may have used it with a little too much enthusiasm and authority over his brothers.

Mike graduated from Des Arc High School. He worked on his history major at what is now UCA in Conway. Following school, Mike returned to Des Arc and began working on the family farm. As if farming didn’t keep him busy enough, he purchased Dondie’s White River Princess, a popular catfish restaurant, in the early nineties. As a restaurant owner, he relished picking on his young employees and giving them a hard time. They quickly learned Mike’s love language was teasing you, picking you up by your ears, or bringing you to your knees with his strong grip. These kids were more than employees; they became extended family – Mike’s motto was, “We will work hard but we will have a good time doing it!” Mike never shied away from hard work, and in the midst of all he had going on, he became the county judge. Because Mike’s greatest joy was in helping people, the office of county judge allowed him to do that with a greater audience. As Judge, he navigated the flood of 2011, completed many building projects, and perhaps his favorite achievement was saving the stained-glass windows in the old Presbyterian Church that were to be relocated to a church destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Mike worked with the Presbytery and the Des Arc High School to acquire the building which was converted to the Des Arc Public Library. Mike never sought recognition for the things he did for people, he simply believed taking care of people and the things you love were what life was about.

Mike is survived by his wife, Karan, who loved him fiercely, cared for him through countless surgeries, and stood beside him through every challenge they faced together, his two daughters, Shannon Skarda (Marc) and Ginger Whittaker (Chris), step-son Vince Tate (Ariel) and two beautiful granddaughters. Mike was the oldest of four boys, he is survived by his three brothers Britt (Karen) Skarda of Little Rock, Pat Skarda of Des Arc and Scott (Deborah) Skarda of Des Arc. with a host of nieces/nephews and their children. Mike had two foreign exchange students over the years whom he held dear to him, Karika Van Nieuwenhoven (Netherlands) and Elana Fuentes (Spain). His greatest joy was being My-Mike to Ashlyn Whittaker and Papa to Addison Tate. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Cannie Ruth Skarda, his sister in law Linda Skarda and grandbaby, Christian Whittaker.

10/01/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Miles Buford Jr., who left us on September 27, 2026, at the age of 70. Born on May 22, 1956, in Russellville, Arkansas, Bobby spent his life dedicated to family, friends, and his church community. He loved people and never met a stranger, which helped him excel in his professional career in sales. He was known for his outgoing personality, and his unconventional charm always left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege to meet him.

Bobby was a loving husband to his wife, Jane, of 41 years. Their life and marriage was full of travel and adventures; a partnership to be envied, and a love that held strong through sickness and health. Nothing brought him greater joy than his family, especially his beloved children, Ashley and Joshua, and their spouses, Andrew and Christina. His grandchildren – Brixton, Thatcher, Annabelle, and Joshua “Miles” Jr. – brought him immense joy, and he took every opportunity to spend quality time with them.

He is survived by his devoted mother, Jo Ann Wood, and his siblings including brother Jason, sister Natasha, step-brother Mike Morris, sisters-in-law Jeannie Buford and Kerri Burba, and nephews Ryan and Ashton.

Friends and family are invited to gather to celebrate Bobby’s life on Sunday, October 4th at 3 PM for a visitation, followed by a service at 4 PM, at Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield, MO.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Robert Sr. and Virgie Buford, and Woodrow Wood.

Bobby’s presence was a gift and his love was a blessing. Though our hearts are heavy with his passing, we find comfort in knowing he is at peace. We will carry his love and memory with us until we meet again.

09/21/2026

If anyone in the Conway area has a need for some labor or project assistance, it just so happens we have a few guys who failed to plan and are now looking for ways to help pay their dues that would love the opportunity to help you out.

Things may have changed since you were in the chapter. It is a requirement for every member to have $0 balance at the end of each semester.

Please reach out if you have such a need or know of someone who may have some odd jobs.

Please email me at [email protected] with subject line of PIKE.

Thank you,
John Tate

09/15/2026

Pi Kappa Alpha – Epsilon Phi House Corporation
Board Election & Alumni Cookout | October 31, 2026
The Pi Kappa Alpha – Epsilon Phi House Corporation at the University of Central Arkansas will hold its Board Election on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Chapter House, 430 Donaghey Avenue.
Six board positions are open for election—four for two-year terms and two for four-year terms.
Although the University manages the financial operations of the current Chapter House, our House Corporation remains both viable and necessary. In fact, this is an especially important time for alumni to become involved.
The University is proposing a long-term lease agreement, and the timing could not be more appropriate for new board members to join the conversation, review the proposed agreement, and help ensure Epsilon Phi's long-term interests are well represented.
House Corporation Meeting & Election
Saturday, October 31
10:00 a.m. – approximately 11:00 a.m.
Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter House
430 Donaghey Avenue
Immediately following the meeting, the undergraduate chapter will host an alumni cookout beginning at 11:00 a.m. All alumni and their guests are welcome.
We'll send a separate post soon to get an approximate headcount for the cookout.
Serving on the House Corporation is an opportunity to give back to an organization that has meant a great deal to many of us. Just as importantly, our involvement demonstrates to today's undergraduates that alumni remain invested in Epsilon Phi and its future long after graduation.
Please plan to attend, and if you're interested in serving on the House Corporation, we encourage you to put your name forward.
For questions about serving on the House Corporation, contact current Board President John Tate at [email protected] or 501-327-1500 (work).

09/14/2026

08/19/2026

John Warren Bane, age 68, a resident of Texarkana, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Chi St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife Marie by his side. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, coach, and mentor. Warren was born November 7, 1957, in Morrilton, Arkansas to the late Robert and LaVerne Bane. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to education, athletics, and, above all, the people and communities he served.

Warren graduated from Plumerville High School in 1976, where he participated in basketball and was an All-District basketball player. He also played American Legion baseball in Morrilton, where he was selected to the All-Star team twice. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway in 1981, where he played baseball for two years, and later received a Master of Science in Education from Henderson State University in 1996.

Warren began his coaching career at Gillham High School in 1981, serving as head basketball coach for four years where he led the boys team to the school's only district championship, while his girls team finished as district runners-up.

The highlight of Warren's career was his time spent at Lockesburg, where he served as head coach and athletic director for 15 years. Lockesburg was always a special place for Warren, the school he associated with when inducted into the State of Arkansas coaches Hall of Fame. He later went on to coach at Nemo Vista High School, Blevins, and Mineral Springs.

After serving as principal of Saratoga and Mountainburg, Warren spent time as an educational consultant and a year as an assistant women's basketball coach at Southern Arkansas University.

His accomplishments and influence extended well beyond the basketball court. Warren served 12 years on the AHSCA Executive Committee which included several years as president. He was named 4-States Area Coach of the Year twice, 4-States Conference Coach of the Year 13 times, and an All-Star nominee 11 times. He was selected twice as an AHSCA All-Star Coach and, in 2015, was inducted into the Southwest Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame. In 2018 he achieved his crowning achievement when he was inducted into the State of Arkansas high school coaches Hall of Fame.

Warren also founded Arkansas Prep Hoops, a high school basketball website, in 2001. After five years of retirement, his love of basketball led him back to coaching when he accepted a position with UA Cossatot Community College as head coach and started a new basketball program.

While Warren's professional accomplishments were remarkable, his greatest pride was his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Millay Bane, whom he loved and cherished for 12 years, 4 of them married. To others he was "Coach" but to her he was simply Warren.

He is also survived by his bonus daughter Mariel Pickett and son-in-law Erik; three grandchildren, Liv, Ace, and Luke Pickett; sister Karen King and brother-in-law David; sister-in-law Barbara Schell and brother-in-law John Preston; a nephew, niece, a number of great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins as well as a host of many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Grace LaVerne Bane; father Robert Bane; brother Keith Bane; and sister Nancy Neighbors.

Those who knew Warren will remember him for his generous heart, sense of humor, competitive spirit, loyalty, love of family, passion for coaching, and willingness to mentor young people. For Warren, coaching was about much more than wins and championships. It was about teaching young people discipline, confidence, perseverance, and the value of believing in themselves.

Away from the court, Warren enjoyed watching sports, cooking, and spending time talking with family, friends, and colleagues. He certainly had the gift of gab. He especially loved spending holidays with his family, searching the bargain aisle at Walmart for a good deal, cooking for his family, teaching his grandchildren how to shoot hoops and golf, watching his grandchildren participate in soccer and cheer competition, loving his doggie babies Hershey and Gracie, and attending his monthly retired coaches luncheons.

Warren leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the many victories recorded in his coaching career. He touched the lives of countless students, athletes, fellow educators, friends, and family members. His influence will continue through the people he taught, coached, encouraged, and loved.

A celebration of Warren's life will be held in the Wilkerson Funeral Home chapel in De Queen, Arkansas on Saturday August 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Chris Schroeder officiating. Public visitation will commence at 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. A private family graveside service and burial will be held in Texarkana.

Memorial contributions may be made to UA Cossatot Lockesburg campus basketball program in Warren's memory. Donations may be mailed to 183 College Dr., De Queen, AR 71832.

For those unable to attend the service, it will be live streamed on Warren’s page.

You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com