Birth date: Jul 15, 1940 Death date: May 25, 2026
Garland Lee Standrod was born July 15, 1940, and died May 25, 2026, at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was raised in Fort Smith. Graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School; Tulane University (BA; philosophy Read Obituary
Mike, Jodie and Joe I am so sorry for your loss I did not have the pleasure of knowing Garland, but he sounds like an absolutely amazing person I have so much respect for his contributions to the Librarian profession, so many accomplishments and wonderful contributions to society and I can't believe how much he looks like you Mike. My heart felt condolences to you all my family and I are thinking about you all in this difficult time. Sincerely Shane Hall
My name is Mark Beasley and I am the Director of the Arkansas Playwrights Workshop. Garland was a beloved member and a treasured contributor to the workshop for many years. This is a tribute to Garland I shared on our Facebook page.
Garland, Garland, Garland - where to begin? You first entered my life many moons ago with a small bundle of scripts in hand, asking if it costs anything to have one's writing workshopped.
I jokingly replied, " Oh yes, it's $12.97." with a deadpan, straight face.
You took a beat as though you were considering the price until I let you off the hook by saying, "No, no - I'm kidding; it's always totally free."
You paused a moment longer before saying in that trademark, whimsical way of yours, "Well, the price would have been fine; I was just wondering how you arrived at it and what the 97 cents was for." My first intro to classic Garland.
And that set the tone for the rest of our interactions - always with that playful, humorous banter. You forever had a way of sharing your wry take on the workings of the world with the kind of economy that I always preach, but never practice.
Years later, I was fortunate enough to get to share one of my stories on a live radio broadcast when Tales From The South came to town for the Roots Festival. The show was sold out with a literal line around the block. But there you were at the very front of that line. I thanked you for coming to support me, and you simply said, "I wouldn't have missed it." If I was nervous about performing after seeing that line, what you gave me was the gift of adrenaline straight to the heart. If this was not a case of the wise Mr. Miyagi showing up for the novice Karate Kid, then I don't know what was.
There is so much more to say, a wealth of more stories to tell. But yet again I will try to emulate your
stunning example and put an end at the end.
I join in with everyone at the workshop in saying a simple thank you for your friendship and sharing your unique, imaginative worlds with us - including the one for which you invented a new language. Yes, that happened. You actually did that. Beyond impressive.
No tribute to you (at least coming from me) would be complete without mentioning the delightful way you silently mouthed every word of dialogue you created along with the actors. Seeing you do that always brought to mind that behavior where bowlers telepathically endeavor to drive and steer their bowling ball once they've already released it into the world, helping to guide it toward the target. You needed not to ever have done that, seeing that your message resonated to audiences with strike after strike in work after work. But we're so glad that you did do that. It's part of the absolute charm of Garland.
PS I hope you enjoy this little heartfelt tribute. But it's not free, my friend. That'll be $12.97, please. You can catch up with me when next we meet upon the boards. ❤️
