AAC Pays Tribute to former Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs

By Christy L. Smith

Longtime Johnson County resident and public servant Mike Jacobs passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Jacobs, 77, served as Johnson County Judge from 1991 to 2014. During that time, he also sat on the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Board of Directors. For 15 years of his 18-year tenure on the board, Jacobs served as board president.

Those who knew Jacobs well said he was a strong leader and a true friend.

“Mike was a dedicated servant to his county and state. He was a true friend and mentor. He always encouraged me during my tenure as AAC Legislative Chair, a seat to which he appointed me,” said Debbie Wise, Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President, noting that Jacobs always put a special touch on AAC’s annual conference.

“We never had an AAC conference that we didn’t call the hogs or end the conference singing ‘You are my Sunshine,’” she said.

AAC Consultant Eddie A. Jones said Jacobs was president of the AAC board during his entire tenure as AAC executive director.

“Mike was always in his element as a leader. No one could keep a group of people on the same page quite like Mike,” Jones said. “I admired Mike for his leadership abilities, but I cherished him as a great friend. … Mike was a true friend to so many and a true friend is never really gone because his spirit will live on in the memories of all of us who loved him for the man he was.”

Jacobs held many leadership roles — president of County Judges Association of Arkansas (CJAA), the West Central Association of Conservation District, the West Central Planning and Development District, the executive board of Counseling Associates, the Western River Valley Regional Solid Waste Management District, and the Johnson County Development Corporation Board.

He accomplished much during his tenure as County Judge, including establishing the 911 system, the Public Defender's Office, a new jail and road department building, a new sheriff's office, a new municipal court room and office, a senior citizen center, and a new health department building. He also championed the establishment of a recycling program and oversaw the restructuring of the county hospital, according to his obituary. In addition, he served on many local boards in Johnson County and received several recognitions.

“Mike was an incredible leader in Johnson County, the state of Arkansas, and nationwide,” AAC Executive Director Chris Villines said. “His connections through the CJAA, AAC, and National Association of Counties were earned through his disarming and friendly personality and solidified by his traits of intelligence and leadership.”

Perhaps that is why in 2011, Jacobs was one of only six county judges from across the nation to testify before Congress about the importance of the Secure Rural Schools program.

“He was a man of such depth,” Villines said. “He was equally comfortable meeting a farmer about a county road and testifying before a congressional committee. We will all miss our friendships with him, and his voice for county government.”

Jacobs was a 1965 graduate of Clarksville High School and a 1969 graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he was a linebacker for the Razorbacks football team. He began his career in marketing with Exxon Company U.S.A. He also was involved in Jacobs Entertainments (vending), owned and operated the Starlight skating rink, and worked as a cattle farmer and contractor.

He was also the reigning distance champion of the Peach Pit Spitting Contest at the Johnson County Peach Festival.

“Mike was unparalleled in his leadership skills and belongs in the pantheon of county officials. He was blessed with an abundance of common sense and sound judgment,” said Mark Whitmore, AAC chief legal counsel and liaison to the Judges’ Association. “His personality, like his physical frame, was bigger than life. Mike had a level of determination and an array of skills that led to many accomplishments for the counties and AAC.”

Following his tenure as county judge, Jacobs continued to serve Johnson County as the District 1 Justice of the Peace, a seat he held until his passing.