of Kensett, AR
September 5, 1933 - November 15, 2019
Rudolph L. ''RL'' Prestidge, 86, of Kensett, passed away November 15, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. RL was born on September 5, 1933 in Jonesboro to Hassel and Bessie Findley Prestidge. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ella White Prestidge and brother, Hassel Lee Prestidge.
He is survived by is his two sons, Tommy (Celina) Prestidge and David (Lesa) Prestidge both of Kensett; 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; one sister Patricia (Hamp) Wood of Waldenburg along with many family and friends.
Mr. Prestidge served in the United States Navy during the Korean War receiving several medals. After returning home he continued to do what he enjoyed his entire life by going back to the farm life with his family. Later he went to work for the Arkansas Forestry Commission and worked his way up to a supervisor's position. RL was a faithful and dedicated member of Kensett United Methodist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
RL had many things in this life that he enjoyed very much from traveling to camping, birdwatching to gardening and cooking. He enjoyed each of these things but enjoyed these the most when he was with his family and his friends. In his traveling and camping, he enjoyed staying in and seeing as many of the State Parks.
Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00PM on Tuesday, November 19 at Kensett United Methodist Church with funeral service to follow at 2:00PM. Interment will follow at Kensett Cemetery. All services under the direction of Roller-Daniel Funeral Home Searcy.
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11 Condolence(s)
Candace Willhite
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Sorry for your loss. I liked RL, and thought the world of Ella. He is reunited with Ella, and others before him, with the Lord. I pray peace and comfort for you all. God bless!
Oscar Swain
Friday, November 22, 2019
You will be greatly missed ole buddy. but your not far
RondaWalker
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
I will miss his wonderful sense of humor and gentle spirit. I always loves hearing the exciting stories of how he and dad, Virgina, Boots,Martha, and Patricia played in the family property as kids. They did some wild things.
I'm glad to be part of the extended family and will cherish all our memories together.
Much love to the rest of the family.
Love, Ronda, Gary, David, Mark and Katie
Rev. Paul C. Draper
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
From the book of James, half-brother of our Lord:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
...[T]he sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
...When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone...
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
...Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ...whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
... Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
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We are told that if we remain faithful, we will be given a new name in heaven. R.L. didn't share his first name with many, I believe. Many of us have concerns about the names given us at birth. Individuals and sometimes entire families change their names to conceal something. We can place too much importance on how other men might see us.
R.L. introduced me to at least four or five members of the Kensett United Methodist Church almost as soon as I arrived as pastor. This was no trouble for him, because he regularly visited them and knew where they all lived. Most were older folks who perhaps felt forgotten by many who were active in the church. He visited them before I came and after I left. And when I had to leave Kensett under peculiar circumstances, he visited me to see how things were going. He was a true friend.
He asked me out to eat numerous times after he could no longer eat food for himself, and perhaps this is most telling. R. L. was not out to please himself and didn't think of himself first. Nor did he concern himself too much with what other people might think. I wish I were able to share many details about R. L., but the truth is he never talked a great deal about himself.
It is odd that in the Book of James, James makes no mention of being the brother of our Lord. Nor that he led the apostles of the Jerusalem Council after the resurrection. We are told by Paul that certain men from Jerusalem came from or were sent by James. And when they consulted with Paul, James pronounced the final decree in regard to witnessing to the Gentiles. James made nothing of himself, in deference to our Lord.
A time or two, R. L. talked about working for the Forestry Service. Just as I am fascinated by old books, he was fascinated by the thought of how certain trees revealed the history of the area. You can read when there were harsh times. Bitter cold or drought brought either thicker or darker rings. And on occasion, you could gain a sense of permanence knowing the same trees were present when the first European explorers came to the area.
In all too many modern faiths, we tend to excuse our sins and faults by saying circumstances have changed. That things which were once true are no longer true. The United Methodist Church faces such changes this year which quite possibly could lead to a permanent split. Many have told us it is time to change with the times. But God does not change. He is not like a shifting shadow. He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (John 1:5) God's truth is not subject to the whims of men. It is said man is made in God's image, but by no means do our faults indicate anything false about the God Who created the heavens and the earth. We each have troubles. We each have faults and questions, but true Christian faith means that we fix our hearts on that which we know to be true about our Father in heaven, and set about doing what we know to be good and right.
R.L. will be missed by many here, but I promise you he is now dining and having fellowship with many he cared for in the love of Christ. <><
jacque richardson
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
David my heart aches for you as I know your pain. You know I had nothing but love and respect for your dad as he was apart of our family as well. I remember bragging at school that I knew Smokey the Bear. Lol and all the times I got to hang out at the cabinet shop with your dad and mine. I will see you today my brother. I love you
Larry and Kathy Moody
Monday, November 18, 2019
RL was a very special friend to my Mom,(Virginia), and Dad,(Edgar Moody). After getting to know RL, I soon discovered a Special man. RL dedicated the last years of his life to helping his friends and the Methodist Church, he touched many lives and will be missed by all that knew him. RL rest in piece
Johnny Hodges
Monday, November 18, 2019
To the Family; Mr Prestidge was a servant of a special breed, he was one to come and protect or at least minimize losses of property and possibly lives. A servant that is most often not considered until the need is at your property line. Upmost respect for this gentleman. A great representative of his organization. Johnny Hodges
Stella wisner
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Prayers to you David your dad was a great person
Nancy Boyd
Saturday, November 16, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Will always be grateful for RL coming into Mom's life for those years.
Nancy Boyd (daughter of Mary Pitts)
Alicia Arellano Turner
Saturday, November 16, 2019
So sorry for your loss. R.L. was a great man.
Robbie Burch
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Sending prayers ðŸ™ðŸ™
Sorry for your loss 💔
God is enjoying Time
With your dad. Special moments â¤ï¸
Love y'all
Robbie and Kenneth Burch
Robert Floyd
Julie Goble
James Jenkins