18 Nov 2013 Couples: The Courtways
HER Melissa Courtway
Where did you grow up: Little Rock.
Education: McClellan High School (’74) – I did not go to college, which was a bad decision. But in high school I took Business Office Education my junior year and Cooperative Office Education (COE) my senior year. COE was a program where you went to classes in the morning and worked in the afternoon.
Job: I was a legal secretary for 30 years. I worked for Wright Lindsey & Jennings for 24 years until 2009.
Parents: Barbara Broadhurst and Roger Wooldridge of Walnut Ridge.
Community/church activities: PEO; member of First United Methodist Church in Conway. I have worked with the food pantry in the past, and this summer I worked with the Feed the Children program sponsored by our church.
Hobbies/special interests: I love to exercise, take long walks/hikes; I play Bunco with a great group of ladies and am taking piano lessons through the UCA Community School of Music. I also keep my granddaughters as often as I can.
How would you describe yourself: Private (which isn’t easy being married to Tom Courtway).
Favorite restaurant in the 501: Mike’s Place, Pasta Grill and Table Mesa.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Taking long drives with Tom, hiking and Sunday dinners with our boys.
Favorite quote: From “Gone with the Wind” – “I don’t want to think about it right now…I will think about it tomorrow.”
What do you love about living in the 501: I moved to Conway in 1991 because of the schools. It is a great town with that small town feeling. With the exceptional schools and colleges here, it is a great place to raise a family.
HIM Tom Courtway
Native of: Conway
Where did you grow up: From third grade on – Conway.
Education: Conway High School; Hendrix College; University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law; Georgetown University School of Law
Job: President, University of Central Arkansas
Parents: Betty and the late Bob Courtway.
Community activities: Anything UCA-related. We try and support and give to several community activities, but right now I do not have the time to serve as I would like.
Church activities: Attend First United Methodist Church; usher some; used to help drive the bus until I had a wreck. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Hobbies/special interests: Golf, swimming, some hiking, reading.
How would you describe yourself: Thankful; also, fairly driven.
Favorite restaurant in the 501: Cannot name a favorite. There are too many. I like to eat.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Long drives with Melissa, playing golf with my “Sunday golf group” and Sunday night dinners with our children.
Favorite quote: Work hard; always do your best; tell the truth; don’t try to be someone you are not; trust in God; have no fear.
What do you love about living in the 501: People, educational opportunities and cultural activities, and close to parks and outdoor activities.
THEM
City: Conway.
How we met: We worked at the same law firm.
The proposal: We were on a date when Tom drove in front of this house and told me he had just bought it for us. Then we spent the evening filling out loan papers!
Wedding bells: Oct. 7, 1995, in the chapel of First United Methodist Church in Conway.
Children: We have four sons: Drew Courtway (Alicia), Brad Courtway (Caity), Corey Davidson (Chelsey) and Ryan Davidson (Janine); and granddaughters Abby Davidson and Nadia Davidson.
Pets: A 9-year-old Shih Tzu.
Family activities enjoyed together: We try and have the boys every Sunday night for dinner. The boys also love to play golf when they can with Tom.
