of Maumelle, AR

January 14, 1954 - May 30, 2025

Oran Wallace Hardcastle, Jr., aged 71, passed away May 30, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. He was born on January 14, 1954 in Searcy, Arkansas to Muriel and Oran Wallace Hardcastle, Sr.

Always so humble about his work, Oran was an exceptionally talented photographer who was always so meticulous about his work and setting up each shot. He started his photography career by joining the Army National Guard as a still photographer and later became a videographer where he traveled and saw the world through a camera lense. He rose in rank retiring after 20 years as a Master Sergeant and Chief of Public Affairs. While in the guard he also joined the Searcy Daily Citizen where he worked as a still photographer. He won numerous awards including photographer of the year in 1995.

He began his career at Today's THV11 in August of 1983. He was the man behind the scenes capturing the news aired on TV. He is remembered for the live viewing of the Razorback games that he drove the satellite truck to, that was later renamed as Poppy's Big Boom Boom by his oldest grandson. This was soon adopted by everyone in the business. He retired from Channel 11 after 30 years as Chief News Photographer. He then freelanced at The Weather Channel, CNBC, Hailstone Creek Productions, among many others.

Penny and Oran owned The Maumelle Mailroom for 12 years where he was happy to ''ship your sh&@'', always bringing his hilarious and wonderful dry wit and humor everywhere he went.

He met his sweetheart, Penny, when he was 18 and married the love of his life on October 13, 1973. Together they created a beautiful family of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who absolutely adored their sweet, loving, funny dad and Poppy.

He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife and best friend of 52 years, Penny Hardcastle; daughter, Christina (Bill) Miller; son, Brandon Hardcastle; daughter, Meggie Hardcastle; 4 grandchildren, Alex Miller, Brynley Miller, Havik Hardcastle and Brody Wallace Byrne and 2 great-grandchildren, Phoenix Miller and Harper Miller.

Preceded in death by his mother; father; brother, James Wheeler and granddaughter, Ryleigh Rae Miller.

We will miss everything about him. His sense of humor was one of our favorite things about him. Dad could make any family group chat of any topic funny with one of his quick witted texts.

Dad, we will miss you, immensely. You were our ''go-to'' when life got rough, you were our comedy and our comfort. You were always someone we could count on and always gave us the best advice. Though Dad may not have liked being the center of attention, he was always the center of our worlds. Always together, he and mom were the glue that held us together. He was a man of integrity and kindness and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

A celebration of his life will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.
A private family burial will be held at the burial site.

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