of Little Rock, AR
November 2, 1964 - April 30, 2018
Eric Stripling, age 53, went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 30, 2018, surrounded by his family. His wife lovingly sang hymns to him as he walked into Jesus' open arms.
Born on November 2, 1964, Eric was the second son of Jim and Linda Stripling. Eric married his high school sweetheart, and they celebrated their 30th anniversary in March, 2018. They first met when she was only eleven, and he called her to tell her he had seen her picture and thought she was pretty, which she recorded in her sixth grade diary! They started dating when she turned 16. She cheered for him on the basketball courts throughout junior high and high school. They made wonderful memories at CAC together. Eric had many great qualities including an amazing sense of humor. He always had everyone laughing.
Eric graduated from Central Arkansas Christian and attended UALR on a basketball scholarship and later attended Harding University. Eric and his dad were partners in a family-owned business, Rainmaker Accessories.
To the astonishment of his doctors and medical community, Eric lived almost seven bonus years with Glioblastoma. Eric considered his brain cancer a gift from God because it changed his perspective on life. Although he was in considerable pain at the end of his life, Eric still brought glory to God by blessing those who cared for him.
Eric was passionate about sharing Jesus with others and was part of several Bible study groups. Those groups became very special in Eric's life. He enjoyed a number of close friendships, making time to invest in those relationships as well as in his family. Eric couldn't help but talk to others about Jesus. He liked to hang out at McDonald's and talk to complete strangers about his faith in the Lord. Some referred to him as "The McDonald's Missionary!"
Eric often said that he was happiest when he could spend time with his family. Among their favorite family traditions were summer beach vacations. To Eric, however, the time spent in the car traveling was the most valuable because he had his family all to himself. His four children continually filled him with joy.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Tonya, and four children; son, Jacob (Tory) of Little Rock; three daughters, Savannah, Ashley, and Laura of the home; parents, Jim and Linda Stripling; brother, Steve (Wynne) Stripling of Prosper, TX; in-laws, John and Annie Hewitt of Murfreesboro, TN; brothers-in-law, John (Julie) Hewitt, also from Murfreesboro, TN, and Kendall (Marigrace) Hewitt of Springhill, TN; 7 nieces, Elizabeth, Nicole, and Danielle Stripling; Rachel, Audrey, Hannah, and Haley Hewitt; and 2 nephews, Parker Hewitt and Nathan Stripling, and a host of friends whom he loved dearly.
Family visitation will be Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 1:00 pm at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock, AR. A Celebration of Eric's Life will follow at 2:00 pm. Nick Hamilton will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Family Fund at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. Services will be conducted by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home of Little Rock.
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23 Condolence(s)
Jay and Melody Witt
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Tonya and family....WE are so very sorry to hear of Eric's passing.
It just seems like yesterday that we were at CAC cheering ALL of you to bigger and better things. Melody and I wish your family special love from Kansas...Eric was one of the good ones and now we know that God has a good one with him. All our love...
Jay and Melody Witt
Rick Morrison
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Eric will be missed until we see him again. May God wrap his loving arms around you until that time.
Janice Lemons
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Linda,Jim,Tonya and family,I am so sorry to hear of Eric's passing.Rainmaker was the best job I ever had and it was because of the kindness he showed to me on a daily basis.Every day he had a story to tell and it was usually a life experience.Always ended with laughter or at least his beautiful smile. Eric had the biggest heart for people and was obviously so proud of his family. My heart aches for all of you
Martha Schmidt
Saturday, May 5, 2018
No more pain and suffering for Eric. Deep loss for everyone else. The Stripling family has glorified God in this long trial -- truly an example to us all.
David Stobaugh
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Praying Gods comfort and grace for all of Erics family.
Gil Foster
Friday, May 4, 2018
Eric was to me the very essence of Christianity! I think he truly understood the message of Jesus and it completely filled his heart to overflowing. You couldnt be around him for a minute and not see that in him. His life will always be a beacon to me, a reminder of what real faith looks like. We will all miss him but we were all touched by his heart and will always remember his joy
Jamie Webb
Friday, May 4, 2018
Tonya, I know when Eric entered heaven the other night, he heard, Well done, good and faithful servant. I love you all and Im praying God comforts you and holds you up to walk through this valley.
Brenda Williams
Friday, May 4, 2018
Tonya,
I'm so sorry for your loss. The Hewitt and Stripling families were the first (and most special) CAC families we met when Craig started high school. ( I still remember the car pool days.) May your loving and fun memories of Eric give you and your family peace and comfort.
Brenda Williams
kelly harper and dane glendinning
Friday, May 4, 2018
Go in peace. my friend. you WILL be missed.
Charles Lamb
Friday, May 4, 2018
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Eric. You will be in our prayers.
Love, Charles and Celia Lamb
Janet Carter
Friday, May 4, 2018
Eric was a a rare gem. There are several of us who worked with him many years at Rainmaker Acc. and always said he was the best boss we ever had. He always treated us like family. I worked for the Stripling’s for about 15 years in total and they were the best working years of my life with many wonderful, sweet memories I hold dear. Eric was a rare gem, he was always kind and considerate. He always told us how much he appreciated us. I watched a video interview where he mentioned he was a different man after he was diagnosed with the brain tumor. Well. I am a witness, he was fabulous before! I know The Lord was proud of his loyalty to Him. Telling people about Jesus so they could have the opportunity to spend eternity with Jesus. We will miss just knowing you are not on this earth Eric, it was a better place with you. One day we will lay aside our earth suit and see you there ❤️
Kathy Koone
Friday, May 4, 2018
Prayers are lifted for the family.
Kathy Koone
Guy & Beverly Wade
Friday, May 4, 2018
Praying for the family
Eileen Grant
Friday, May 4, 2018
Mr. and Mrs. Stripling we are very sorry for your loss. May our Lord and Eric's memories that you all hold in your hearts bring healing and peace to your souls.
Eileen Grant
Pennpointe Improvement District
Jo Ann Thompson
Friday, May 4, 2018
What an warm and incredible accounting of a very special man. Heaven has another beautiful Angel!
My condolences to the family and friends. Knowing how much he loved Jesus and how he touched so many hearts and souls (and brought who-knows-how-many souls to Christ) has to be a comfort to your hearts.
Yavonda (Fletcher) Chase
Friday, May 4, 2018
Tonya, Jim, Linda and the kids,
You are all in my prayers. Eric was such a wonderful person who made an impact on everyone he met. I know that heaven is rejoicing their new angel even as we mourn his loss here on Earth.
Much love to you all!
Yavonda (Fletcher) Chase
Johnny McLean
Friday, May 4, 2018
Tonya and family, so sorry for your loss. I will never forget Eric's sense of humor and enthusiasm when he and Chuck led the Seekers Class.
Lila King
Friday, May 4, 2018
Charles and I send our love and prayers to your family at this difficult time.
Lila and Charles King
The Barringer Family
Friday, May 4, 2018
Dear Tonya and children,
May God bless your family with peace and joy as you remember your beloved husband and daddy. Eric was a blessing to all who knew him.
Blessings,
The Barringer Family]
and Rivers
Ginger Randle
Thursday, May 3, 2018
I have told this story many times about Eric. His mom would pin the tuition check to his shirt with a note take me to the office. Eric would come through the office door with the biggest smile on his face walk to my desk and kneel down for me to take the tuition check off of his shirt. He along with so many other students at CAC made my work so enjoyable. Prayers for all the family. Ginger Randle
Kathy Sweeney
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Tonya, what an example you have been through all of this! I was so saddened to hear of the loss of your beloved husband, Eric. I will continue to keep you and your children in my thoughts and prayers.
Melissa Allen
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Tonya and Family,
Mark and I I are heartbroken to hear of Eric’s passing, but we rejoice for him that he is now looking into the eyes of his Lord and Savior. He will be truly missed by many but we will get to see that wonderful smile again one day! Our thoughts and prayer are with each of you asking God to grant you comfort and peace! We lend our love!
Melissa & Mark Allen
Shannon Otwell Lincoln
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Tonya,
I’m so very sorry for your loss, praying for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Shannon Lincoln