of Little Rock, AR

October 17, 1930 - February 11, 2022

Arthur W. Gillum, lovingly known as Sunny Boy, was born October 17, 1930 to Don Gillum and Sybil King in Rover, AR. At 15 he and his family moved to Gould, AR where he graduated before attending Monticello A & M for 2 years. He then attended the University of Arkansas Fayetteville before joining the Air Force, where he trained as a jet fighter pilot.

In 1953 he attended the inaugural parade for President Eisenhower where he met a nursing student, Jo Harbert, whom he married on July 3 the same year. They were happily married for 53 years, until Jo's death in 2006.

After leaving the Air Force in 1956, he attended Kansas State University where he received his Bachelor of Science and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. In 1960 he moved to Little Rock to begin practicing his craft, and later partnered with Dr. Darrell Wood and Dr. Jim VanPatter to form one of the first veterinary partnerships in the state; he opened his clinic, Cloverdale Animal Hospital, in 1962. His oldest son, Michael, joined him in 1982. He retired in 1993, due to eyesight issues. Cloverdale Animal Hospital is still in operation, celebrating 60 years.

Art lived a life of service to his community. As a member of Kiwanis Club, he sponsored the first Key Club at Parkview High School; he served on the LRSD School Board from 1973-1984; he was awarded the only honorary lifetime membership to the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association; he became a program coordinator at LifeQuest of Arkansas in 2006, serving on the Curriculum Committee, and he received the Dedicated Service Award from LifeQuest of Arkansas in 2021.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Donna Lea Miller and Betty Rose McDuffie; his brother John Wesley Gillum; and a son, Charles Richard Gillum. He is survived by his sister, Martha Ann Jeane; his brother and sister-in-law Rex and Barbara Gillum; and his children, Michael, Scott, and David Gillum, Kimberly and Steve Tribett, Rhonda Gillum, and Lisa Johnson; as well as his numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00am Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church with Reverend Jeff Hampton officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00pm at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to PHUMC or LifeQuest of Arkansas.

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