Harley Timbs, a 1990 THS graduate, poses during a body building compettiion in this undated photo. Timbs set a new Arkansas state benchpress record lifting 730 pounds.

It's the day which he set a new state bench pressing record when he benched 730 pounds. But more importantly, he did it on his uncle Buddy's birthday.

He only wishes Buddy could have been there to see it. He died July 3, 2008.

"This was a very special lift for me," Timbs said. "He has always been a big inspiration for me."

Timbs, a 1990 graduate of Trumann High School who now lives in Lebanon, Tenn., shattered the previous record of 680 pounds set in 1994 by D.D. Nichols, in Russellville at the Arkansas State Bench Press Championships.

The 36 year-old almost added to the feat, missing 755 pounds by a mere inch.

"On my way up with my second lift, I had a shirt on and it ripped," Timbs said. "It took quite a bit out of me, so they gave me another attempt. I got that one (730 lbs.) and I went to 755 and was probably about an inch from it."

He's going to get another shot at reaching 755 pounds this week at a competition in Knoxville, Tenn.

A truck driver by trade, Timbs was 14 years old when he got his first set of weights. He weighed 145 pounds at the time and bench pressed 150 pounds.

"I was never really big," Timbs said. "But I was always stronger than everybody else. I was just always gifted benching."

Buddy used to let him arm wrestle with a group of his friends whenever they would get together.

"He would call me and come get me and we'd go up there and arm wrestle with the guys," Timbs said. "I always looked up to him and my dad. He always encouraged me and kept up with my activities. I played football for Trumann. I just thought the world of him."

A few years ago, Ssome friends in Tennessee told him about an upcoming state bench pressing competition and urged him to enter.

The prize was $500. When he didn't have the $100 to enter, those same friends paid his entry fee.

His first lift of 605 pounds set a new Tennessee state record.

Timbs has since set bench pressing records in five states and is also a two time bodybuilding champion with titles in 2006 in Tennessee and 2008 Southern Indiana Bodybuilding Champion.

"When I beat 700 (pounds) I told my wife I wanted to try something different," Timbs said. "So I did a bodybuilding show and came in third. I promised her I would win it the following year."

Wife Denise is also a bodybuilder and powerlifter. She holds two state bench press records and also has won both the Tennessee and Miss Southern Indiana Bodybuilding championships.

"We're the first husband and wife to ever win Mr. and Miss Tennessee," Timbs said.

Timbs said he is confident he will get to 755 pounds on his next try.

"I hit 755 the week before last at the gym," Timbs said. "I probably would have gotten it. But when I ripped my shirt it took away my concentration,."