2025 GEF Hall of Honor Inductee:
THERAL HENRY
Theral A. Henry was born in Lone Star Valley—now part of Fort Chaffee—in 1925. He attended Greenwood Schools before answering the call of duty during World War II, proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine rifleman, he fought bravely in the Pacific campaigns, including the harrowing battles of Guam and Iwo Jima. Wounded in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart, a lasting reminder of his courage and sacrifice.
Though Mr. Henry was a private man who rarely spoke of the details of his wartime experiences, his deep love of country was evident in the way he lived. His quiet pride, steadfast loyalty, and sense of honor reflected the core of the Greatest Generation.
Following the war, Theral returned home to Greenwood and married Kathryn Cook of Dayton, Arkansas. He devoted himself to building a long and steady career with the United States Postal Service, where he earned the respect of colleagues and neighbors alike.
Theral’s commitment to community was as strong as his devotion to family. A man of faith, he served for decades as a deacon and Sunday School leader at First Baptist Church. Beyond the church walls, he dedicated himself to public service as a Justice of the Peace on the Sebastian County Quorum Court and remained active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, ensuring that the sacrifices of his fellow servicemen were never forgotten.
Proud of his family, his community, and his country, Theral Henry’s life was marked by service, humility, and integrity. He is remembered with deep love and gratitude by his two children, four grandchildren, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Join us Friday, October 10th, for a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the GHS Student Union, followed by the induction ceremony at 6:45 p.m. during Homecoming pre-game.
GEF Hall of Honor Inductee:
PETE BUTLER
Kenneth “Pete” Butler loved God, his family, his church, Greenwood, and the Bulldogs. While not a native of Greenwood, Pete married a Greenwood High School graduate, Susie Elmore. The two made Greenwood their forever home, and Pete started a small family-owned insulation business, which the Lord blessed over the thirty years that he owned it.
Pete often said, “You will be a lot happier when you realize life is not about you.” Pete exemplified this belief by the way he gave of his time, talents, and resources. Pete believed strongly in the words of Matthew 6:1-4. He did not see giving to others as a means of earning recognition; instead, he exemplified the principles of “not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing.” Pete was an excellent businessman; however, he viewed his business as more than just a way to make a living. He used his business as an opportunity to provide stability to over sixty families at any given time. He was passionate about supporting and equipping others which was a responsibility he did not take lightly. Pete loved supporting the community of Greenwood, his church, and the school system quietly behind the scenes. Pete, along with several other members of this community, were instrumental in the vision and establishment of the South Sebastian County Youth Organization which has played a vital role in the development of countless young people’s lives over the years. In addition, he was active in the Bulldog athletic program and the many student activities and organizations at GHS. He was always willing to lend his support to the Bulldogs. Pete loved sponsoring team dinners, contributing to booster clubs, attending auctions, and buying raffle tickets. Essentially, he did anything he could do to help meet the needs of students. Pete, along with many other pillars in this community, would bond over their love for the town and find new ways to support the community of Greenwood and the Bulldogs while eating breakfast at the local diner’s “Roundtable.”
Pete passed away in 2016, and soon thereafter, Susie set up a scholarship in his honor to support a student with plans of pursuing education or training in a trade. Pete was unashamedly proud of Greenwood and the Bulldogs. Whenever he was outside of Greenwood, he was quick to let everyone know where he lived and that whatever Greenwood decides to do, we will do it better than everyone else. He was proud to be married to a Bulldog, have both children graduate from Greenwood, and have all six of his grandchildren attend and graduate from Greenwood High School.
Celebrate with us on Friday, October 10th — reception at 5:30 p.m. in the GHS Student Union. Ceremony to follow on the football field.
DANNY BURTON
📅 A community-wide reception will be held on Friday, October 10th, at 5:30 p.m. in the GHS Student Union, with the induction ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Everyone is invited!
Danny C. Burton was born on May 10, 1951, in Mulberry, Arkansas. A throwback to an earlier can-do generation, he grew up knowing the value of hard work, a deep love for God, devotion to family, and loyalty to country. He was raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and graduated from Northside High School in 1969. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
Known affectionately as “ARKY,” Danny quickly rose to the role of squad leader, inspiring his men to achieve goals they never thought possible. He carried those leadership skills into combat in Vietnam, serving with the 1st Marine Division/Hotel Company/Bravo Squad from January 1970 to January 1971. In the face of daily life-and-death decisions, Danny distinguished himself with extraordinary bravery, saving lives and earning the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for Valor. That wartime focus, discipline, and courage would shape the rest of his life.
Healing from the scars of war, Danny found strength in his faith and the love of a woman. In 1974, he met Judy Page, and they were married in August 1976. Judy remained his steadfast partner until his passing in 2010. Together, they built a family, raising four children—Joshua Wolf, Jacob Badger, Rachel Dawn, and Rebekah Sky—all of whom graduated from Greenwood Schools.
In 1978, Danny co-founded Burton Pools and Spas, where his work ethic and leadership helped build the business into a lasting success. Yet his true calling extended beyond business. Though Danny accepted Christ as a boy, he came to fully understand God’s purpose for his life after becoming a husband and father. He recognized the influence of a father’s role and felt called to impact the lives of other young people as well.
Through a partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Danny began mentoring Junior High and High School students across the Greenwood area. Busloads of youth often gathered at his home, where they shared meals, fellowship, and the life-changing truth of God’s love. Danny also fed Greenwood’s football teams before home games for years, becoming a living example of servant leadership.
Action defined Danny. “Can’t” was not in his vocabulary. When others said, “It can’t be done,” he asked, “Why not?” With that attitude, he launched the Pittbull youth football program, which helped fuel the long-term success of the Greenwood Bulldogs. He also began a Wednesday night men’s Bible study in his home for those who felt uncomfortable in traditional church settings. Later, he was ordained as a minister and founded Genesis One, a home church ministry that continues to this day.
Beyond ministry and mentoring, Danny was a world-class hunter whose stories became legendary among guides and outfitters. Yet through every achievement, he never sought personal glory. He believed his gifts and successes came from God alone, and he dedicated his life to using them for God’s purposes. His unwavering focus on faith and service made him both a leader of men and a follower of Christ.
Danny’s faith was seen not only in the way he lived but also in the way he faced death. Diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, he remained joyful and confident in God’s plan for his eternal future. His final words on March 3, 2010, were: “Praise the Lord, Hallelujah.”
Above all, Danny Burton will be remembered as a servant—of his country, his community, his fellow man, his family, and most of all, his Lord.
Danny Burton, Kenneth (Pete) Butler, and the intergenerational honorees of father/son Theral Henry and Dr. Jim Henry.
All four inductees are known within the Greenwood community, the Greenwood School District and the state of Arkansas as outstanding representatives and contributors to the Greenwood culture and traditions.
A school and community-wide reception to recognize these individuals and their families will be held Friday, October 10th in the GHS Student Union beginning at
5:30pm with the induction ceremony at 6:45pm (Homecoming Pre-Game) following the coronation of the 2025 Homecoming Queen and Court.
Everyone is invited to attend the reception.
📅 Nov. 11, 2025 | 🕥 10:30 a.m.
📍 H. B. Stewart Bulldog Arena
📸 Submit a Veteran’s photo for the slideshow by Nov. 1st!
👉 Email: joella.skaggs@greenwoodk12.com
👉 Or drop off at the GHS office (photo will be scanned & returned).
Let’s honor those who served!
Tonight’s volleyball game at Shiloh Christian will feature 9th Grade and Varsity only, beginning at 4:30 PM.
✨✨There will be no JV game tonight.
Stay safe and Go Bulldogs! 🏐
Today, we celebrate our incredible Greenwood School District IT Department! 👏 Behind every smooth lesson, secure network, and working device is a team of problem-solvers who keep our schools connected and running.
They’re the ones answering calls, fixing glitches, protecting data, and ensuring technology helps teachers and students thrive.
Join us in saying a BIG thank you to our IT team for their hard work, expertise, and dedication!
Students had the amazing opportunity to learn from Jennifer A. Nielsen, a #1 New York Times bestselling author celebrated for her young adult fantasy and historical novels.
A lifelong resident of northern Utah, Ms. Nielsen holds degrees in theater arts, communication education, and history. She shared powerful insights on writing, creativity, and storytelling—encouraging students to find their own voices as authors.
We are honored to welcome such a talented writer and educator to Greenwood, and A BIG thank-you to Mrs. Kara Copher for making this opportunity possible for our students.
Great things happening at Greenwood Schools!
September 11, 2001
We honor the lives lost, the courage of first responders, and the strength of a nation that came together in the face of tragedy. May we never forget.
Check it out!
Representative Steve Womack recently visited the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he met up with 2024 Greenwood graduate, Cadet Jackson Witherington.
A distinguished representative of our elite service academies, Cadet Witherington stands out as one of Greenwood’s—and the Third District’s—finest.
September 12th, 7p.m. at Smith-Robinson Stadium
Join us for the Big Band Extravaganza, featuring talented students from 7th to 12th grade, performing live! 🥁 🎹🎺🎷
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of music, fun, and school spirit. 🎵
The Fort Smith Public Schools is a Digital Ticket District.
Tickets can be purchased at the following link:
https://gofan.co/app/school/AR17007
Tickets can be purchased online,
via credit card at the gate,
and at one cash gate as well.
For convenience, the 1 cash gate is notated in the overhead
view.
East Pointe Elementary is celebrating a major win for student health and wellness! Mrs. Laura Jones, Physical Education Teacher, has been awarded $10,000 to fund a gym makeover through the NFL and the Kids Heart Challenge program for the AHA Southwest region.
This exciting opportunity will transform the gym into a space designed to promote physical activity, wellness, and heart health for all students.
The Kids Heart Challenge, in partnership with the NFL, supports schools and educators by funding projects that inspire healthier lifestyles and encourage students to stay active. With this award, East Pointe Elementary will enhance gym equipment, improve facilities, and strengthen its commitment to student health and well-being.
“This recognition is a true honor for our district,” said Superintendent John Ciesla. “We are grateful to the NFL and Kids Heart Challenge for supporting schools like ours and helping students live healthier, more active lives.”
East Pointe Elementary was also awarded learning modules for hands-only CPR, giving students valuable life-saving skills.
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has also put together a Family Toolkit on its website, packed with useful resources like videos, FAQs, and other helpful documents.
The email will be coming from DoNotReply@cambiumassessment.com, and it will look similar to the one shown below.
