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Magna IV Founder Gary Middleton Dies

1 min read

Gary Middleton, who founded Magna IV in Little Rock and built it into one of the largest print and marketing businesses in the Mid-south, died Monday at age 69.

Middleton started the business in 1975 with help from his wife, Pat, who survives him. They were married for 51 years.

Magna IV, which expanded from commercial printing into direct mail, graphic design, web-to-print services and cross-media marketing over more than 40 years, now employs more than 70 workers. The company acquired several prominent printers in the region over the years, including Diversatype in 1991, International Graphics in 1997, Parkin Printing in 1998 and Peerless Engraving in 2007, according to the company’s website.

In recent years, the Middletons turned daily operations over to son Kent Middleton, who now serves as chief executive officer, and longtime employee Kristi Dannelly, the chief operating officer. The company now serves national clients like Dave & Buster’s, Dillard’s, St. Jude Research Hospital and Gold’s Gym. Arkansas-based clients include Staley Electric, the University of Arkansas, Harding University and Saline Memorial Hospital.

Middleton was a board member of the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation,  a reflection of his devotion to fishing, and was a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, where funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.

A post on the company’s Facebook page praised Middleton’s tenacity in facing challenges and concluded, “Gary, we will forever miss your kindness and dedication to serving others.”

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