of Little Rock, AR

April 3, 1958 - January 9, 2021

Rickey Joe Nordrum (Big Rick), age 62, of Little Rock, left his earthly body and went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Rick was born at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, on April 3, 1958, to Joe and Ilene Nordrum. The family remained in California until his teenage years. After his father's retirement from the United States Navy, the family moved to Mountain Home where he met his future wife, Dreena Strausbaugh. They were married on January 24, 1976, at the Church of the Nazarene by Rev. Royal Schultz and their family soon grew.

They moved to central Arkansas in 1977 and raised their three children in the Natural Steps and Roland areas. Rick was a man of many talents and had various careers throughout his life. He was a painter at Champion boats, a railcar repairman, a farmhand at Haskin's horse farm, an over the road truck driver, a backhoe operator at his father's business Nordrum Construction, a leadman over his own crew of railcar repairmen, and a painter for fire and water damage restoration companies. At the end of his life, he was the farm manager for the Bale family farms. He loved Johnny and Sharon Bale immensely.

Rick was known to always work seven days a week because he wanted to provide the best of everything he possibly could for his family. He made it his life's work to be a great provider and supporter in any time of need for his family and friends alike. Hobbies Rick enjoyed were hunting, fishing, bee keeping, raising chickens and ducks, cooking, gardening, and being a prankster.

Rick is survived by his immediate family, Dreena Nordrum (Little Rock), Stacy and Robby Benson (Bigelow), Anthony and Casey Nordrum (Jonesboro), his sisters and their spouses, Yvonne and Dennis Kackley (Furlow), Lisa and Kevin Marty (Cabot), his step-mother Wanda Nordrum (Furlow), 12 grandchildren to which he was known as "Big Papaw" including Josie and Jayden Nordrum who he had been raising since 2010, various nieces and nephews, and many friends that loved him. Rick was most recently preceded in death by his son Rickey (Little Rick), his parents Joe and Ilene, and his favorite uncle John.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Roller-Chenal funeral home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR (501) 224-8300 with Brother Brent Guenther officiating. A visitation will be from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Friday, January 15, 2021, at the funeral home.

We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com