Background

Coach. Boss. Dad. Son. Husband. Storyteller. Philanthropist.

There are many words to describe Rush Harding.

But the one that melts his heart is “G Daddy.” That’s his grandfather name that was handed down and shortened from his own father’s moniker who was known as “Granddaddy.”But that was a mouthful for his grandkids. There is nothing better for Rush than a day at the house with kids filling the home with art messes and fort building. He and Linda, his beloved bride since the early 80s, pursue their three children and five grandchildren in deep, meaningful ways.

They do that because that’s what was invested in him. Rush tells it like this: “Linda and I encouraged my parents to move to Little Rock in 1984 after serving the Clarendon School District for four decades. We wanted them to put the same imprint on our children that they had put upon me as a young man.”

Family is everything to Rush Harding.

First Quarter

Church, Family, Sports

His story begins in east Arkansas where Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon was the kickoff of the Harding family’s week. His parents were well respected educators where his father was a coach and then principal of Clarendon High School; his mother a school counselor after years in the classroom. Coach and Mrs. Harding were strict disciplinarians, and young Rush never disappointed them. They instilled public service, humility, and hard work. That is why Rush had perfect attendance both at school and his Sunday school class. In fact, Rush has never missed a day of work for illness nor an entire week of vacation in more than 40 years. He has managed medical procedures and funerals by working around them so he can be back in the office before the markets close. Rush also attained the impressive Eagle Scout designation from the Boy Scouts of America, something only 4% of Scouts achieve. But that’s Rush-always doing what only a handful of people have ever done.

Rush loved all sports but there are fond memories of Little League baseball, and varsity football and basketball. His parents' work ethic is what shaped him though. While his parents, the late Rush “Buddy” Harding, Jr. and Martha Ann Harding, obtained their post-graduate degrees at what is now the University of Central Arkansas, Rush would live with them on campus in Conway, Ark., a town he would provide significant contributions both with his gregarious personality as an undergrad and leader on campus and finally as a real estate developer/investor.

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Second Quarter

Boys State, West Point, UCA

As a rising high school senior, Rush was chosen as a delegate to the week-long immersive civics program known as Arkansas Boys State. Notable names who have attended Arkansas Boys State include former U. S. President Bill Clinton and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as well as U. S. Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman. In 1971 when Rush attended, he was elected as governor of Boys State, the highest elected official.

His senior year of high school, he and his high school best friend, Gary Cook, had a pact: they swore they would go to college together. Gary piqued Rush’s interest when he decided to pursue an impressive appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point first. What are the chances that the tiny town of Clarendon (population at the time was 2500) would have two high school seniors to receive appointments that year? It happened. In 1972, both Rush and Gary were off to West Point. Tragically, Gary drowned two days after graduating high school. That’s when Rush knew that he had an enormous responsibility to not let his community, his family or the U.S. senator who appointed him, Sen. John L. McClellan down.

After graduating as co-valedictorian at Clarendon High School, Rush excelled at West Point, but his heart was drawn back to the South. He finished his last two years of college at UCA where he graduated with honors in both math and English. While at UCA, he was president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity where he would meet some lifelong friends, a member of the collegiate basketball team, and active with the Wesley Foundation, a campus ministry for the United Methodist Church.

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Half Time

Career Start, Marriage

After his graduation, Rush made the move to Little Rock, the capital city, where he would begin a very successful financial career but also develop a passion for helping others. He met the beautiful Linda Turner, a student at UCA, after he had left the campus. Linda was homecoming queen at North Little Rock Ole Main and cheerleader. He and Linda married, quickly had three children, and Rush was off on a remarkable career. They joined the First United Methodist Church where they are still members today.

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  • Rush and Linda Harding

Third Quarter

Crews and Associates, Children, Philanthropy

Rush and five others along with Adron Crews started a regional brokerage firm in 1979. They would call it Crews and Associates and today has an impressive role in bond underwriting. He helped grow the firm from its modest beginnings of $320,000 in initial equity in 1979 to almost $80 million today. He served the firm as executive vice president from 1979 to 1996. He was named president in 1996 and chief executive officer in 2000. In 2019, Harding stepped down as CEO and left the firm in 2021.

Both Rush and Linda, UCA graduates, have devoted much of their charitable resources to their alma mater. Both have a strong belief that education is the key to everything from breaking out of poverty to finding vocational success. Whether it’s the scholarships devoted to single mothers or African Americans or students from Monroe County where Rush was raised, the Hardings consider their giving to benefit those in need. The Hardings have given millions to UCA and, at the time, gave the largest single gift to the school when they donated the funds, $1.2 million, to build Harding Centennial Plaza on campus. They are currently chairing the school’s 2021 capital campaign where the Hardings have pledged $3 million. The school issued this statement: “The University of Central Arkansas is proud to announce that we are naming the photography studio in our new Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Art in recognition of Rush and Linda’s generosity to UCA. It will be the Linda Harding Photography Studio. In April 2021 at our UCA NOW capital campaign kickoff event, the Hardings announced an estate gift of $3 million to support UCA students.”

Other schools benefiting from their enormous generosity include Pulaski Academy, where the Harding children attended. Rush has been on the school board at PA, and he and Linda were responsible for the gymnasium at the school. Both Rush and Linda have received honorary doctorates from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, a Historically Black College and University, and Rush served on the board of trustees there as well.

Because of their generosity, both Rush and Linda were named Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2007. In 2014, Rush was named Arkansan of the Year by Easterseals Arkansas. Rush was honored by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame for his service and contributions to the group.

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Fourth Quarter

Bank OZK, More Giving, Family Time

Rush’s 4th quarter is just as busy as the first three. He’s the director of investments and strategic opportunities at Bank OZK in Little Rock, Ark. He is doing what he loves, trading bonds and finding opportunities that others might not discern as valuable.

The Hardings giving will continue to center on education and all-things- Methodist. Without the rigor of managerial responsibilities at work, Rush and Linda hope to travel and spend more meaningful time together. They enjoy their five grandchildren and supporting them in all of their endeavors.

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  • Rush and Linda Harding
  • Rush and Linda Harding