of Little Rock, AR

November 30, 1933 - July 24, 2021

Harold M. Steelman, age 87, went to be with his Lord, July 24, 2021. He was born in Pine Bluff, AR, November 30, 1933, the son of Harry and Emma Steelman. He was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he played football for the Zebras. He also played at Little Rock Junior College, now UALR, and then transferred to the University of Arkansas, where he played on the legendary 1954 SWC Champion Razorback team that became known as the ''25 Little Pigs'' since there were only 25 players on the team. He became a football coach after graduating from the U of A, beginning at Texarkana High School, and included Lewisville, El Dorado, and then Arkansas A&M (now U of A Monticello). When Jimmy ''Red'' Parker, A&M's head coach, moved to The Citadel, he took Coach Steelman with him and from there they went on to Clemson. Coach Steelman moved on to Northeast Louisiana, where he was on John David Crow's staff. He later accepted the head coaching job at Arkansas Tech where he finally retired from coaching after six years at the helm. He completed his career in sports as the manager of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock for 12 years.

After he retired from War Memorial, he initiated ''In their Words'' a project with AETN where he recorded interviews with over 100 WWII veterans to preserve their military experiences. He also donated his extensive military collection to the Vilonia Museum of Veterans and Military History in 2015. He also served the Arkansas Senate as Sergeant at Arms for several years. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and devoted his life to serving the Lord.

In 2011, he was inducted into the U of A Monticello Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, he received the President's Award from the U of A Little Rock.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn; his daughter, Sara Steelman, and his son, Hal Steelman. He is survived by three grandchildren; Jason Fields, of North Little Rock, Amy Reaves and her husband Jason of Bauxite, and Houston Steelman and his wife Jenny of Hammond, Louisiana; two great-grandsons, Tyler Fields and Evan Reaves; Brother-in-law, Bob Corley and wife, Chalona Corley of Arizona, also, 21 great-nephews, nieces, 9 nephews/nieces, and cousins.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church, Little Rock. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers: Coach Harold ''Hal'' Steelman Memorial Scholarship at Lonoke High School, Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, or Wounded Warrior Project.

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