of Little Rock, AR
May 23, 2009
Oley Eldon Rooker passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on November 2, 1931 in Des Arc, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his dear wife of 52 years, Meredith Lynn Ward Rooker. Survivors include his mother Tura Louise Leonard of Little Rock, daughter and son-in-law Karen and Bob Sebourn; son and daughter-in-law David and Lela Rooker all of Little Rock; and daughter and son-in-law Susan and Kenneth Tonymon of Jonesboro; nine grand children and one great grandchild.
He grew up in East Side Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1950. During that time, he played football, participated in the marching band and had a leading role in the senior class play. He graduated in 1953 from Little Rock Junior College with a degree in Business Administration. He was enlisted in the United States Army in 1953-55. Following his discharge, he and Meredith returned to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was employed as a manufacturer's representative for over forty years.
He was an active advocate of the southwest Little Rock community for many years, having participating in the Little Rock Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lion's Club, Order of the Eagles, Lakeside Country Club; he served as president of the Crystal Valley Property Owner's Association, Andy's Coffee Club and member of Henderson United Methodist Church. He was a founding organizer of the Little Rock High School Wilson's Tigers Alumni Association and the alumni ''Class of Fifty Reunion Organization'' which began in the fall of 1985; whose purpose is to commemorate Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Honoree Coach Wilson Matthews, well-respected coach of the Little Rock High School Tigers 1947-57; with ten state championships in eleven seasons. He was proud to be a recognized lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Mr. Rooker lived a full and vibrant life to the extent he completed his ''bucket list.''
Oley Rooker loved God, his family, friends and our country. God Bless America.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at the funeral home, with Reverend Kevin Lyon, Judge Bill Wilson, Mrs. Betty Brooks and Mr. Charles Case officiating. Pallbearers will be Donald Guess, Owen Guess, Bob Guess, Jackson Bell, James Ford, George Ford and Bob Darrington. Honorary pallbearers will be Wilson's Tigers. Interment will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park.
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53 Condolence(s)
Sharri Bearden Stewart
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Susan, David and Karen - I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I remember he and your mom at church when we were all small. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sherry Sims
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Karen,
So sorry to hear about the death of your father. I wanted you to know that you are in my prayers. May God please you.
Sherry
Jessica Abbott-Pilkington
Saturday, May 30, 2009
To the family of Oley Rooker:
I have known Mr. Oley, as I have always called him, my entire life. He and my father, John "Captain Video" Abbott, were good friends. My mother and father also bought their home from Mr. Oley and Mrs. Meredith. He has been a very inspiring figure in my life. I can remember when I was little going to my father's shop and seeing him. my father, and Joe Reynolds all sitting around drinking coffee, apparently one of their most favorite things to do. I am was very saddened to hear of his passing, but know that he is now in heaven, free from any pain, with the love of his life. I send my deepest sympathies to his family in this time of need! God Bless Mr. Oley and his family!
Sandy Becker
Thursday, May 28, 2009
You will be missed.
Allen & Marliese Kerr
Thursday, May 28, 2009
We met Oley as part of the Andy's Coffee Club. What a great man! He will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rachel Williams
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Karen,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. I know he believed in God as his Savior and he will be in Heaven praising his Lord. May your wonderful memories and the peace of knowing he is with his Lord, give you peace and comfort. I know he will be missed greatly. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Rachel
Suellen DiMassimo
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Karen
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. You and your family are in my prayers. Take care.
Suellen
Jane Crum
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Karen'
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Clayton Johnson
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
As the present Chairman of the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, please accept our deepest sympathies.
Oley was a strong supporter of Little Rock Civic activities. His input and contributions were invaluable to the residents of his neighborhood and the city, we need more citizens with his character and commitment to the city. He will be missed by all of us.
Sandye Needham
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Oley was such a good friend to so many. Someone who cared about his family, church, community and country and admired by a lot of people, I being one of them. Karen, David and Susan are such a reflection of Oley and Meridith's love. The service was a great tribute to this unique man. I have to say, I loved singing the Alma Mater at the funeral. I even remembered the words, except for the one word differece: Senior vs Central High. You will be in my prayers. Much love to the Rooker family.
Meredith
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dear Karen,
I was so sorry to hear about your father's recent passing. I know this is a hard time for you but know that there are many of us keeping you and your family in our prayers. We hope this will help you and yours to get through this.
Sincerely,
Meredith Spann
Terri Value
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Barbara Williams
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May the memories and the knowledge of his resting in a better place comfort you always....
Linda Corrigan
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear that your father has passed away. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Take Care.
Linda Corrigan
Suzanne Herndon
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Susan, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know the overwhelming feeling of loosing your last parent. I just lost my Mom on December 17 just a year and a half after my Dad died. But we are given the strength to go forth. Memories in time help to ease the pain. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Carol Thompson
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Karen,
I was very sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and all of your family. Carol
Paula Schilling
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Karen I am so sorry to hear about your father. You are in my thoughts.
Matt and Lori Diffey
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Karen and Bob,
We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Rooker seemed like quite the unique man. What a wonderful service today to celebrate his life! May God be with your family.
JIM HOUSE
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
If only more could be like this wonderful gentleman.
Gina Bowman
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Susan, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Paul Johnston
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Karen,
My Mother and Uncle both went to school with your Dad and always spoke very fondly of him. I bumped into your Dad a few years ago and had a great visit.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Paul Johnston
Donald Louks
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I am certainly sorry to hear about the loss of one of my old high school buddies. We had many fun times together especially the planning and participation of our Little Rock High School reunions. Oley was a swell guy and a great friend. May the Lord bless the family during this sad time.
Steve & Nancy Jenkins
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Oley made such a great contribution to our community and city. He will surely be missed as a friend to us all. He will be missed but not forgotten by us, he was a great neighbor and friend.
John Brockway
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Knew Oley well, he was always kind. He was a good Christian person. Very sorry for your loss. He has completed his job here and the Lord has called him back home.
Mark Pearson
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
What a wonderful person. Oley I will miss seeing you at Harbor Freight tools and Bill's office. May God grant you a much deserved peace and rest in Him.
Charles woodward
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
David,
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Sharon Stark
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Met Oley through SWLRUPs. He was always compassionate and a gentleman.
Jammie Neill-Ziller
Monday, May 25, 2009
Susan,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Your dad was a wonderful man, who made everyone he came in contact feel like they were special and part of your family. I know he will be missed by so many. Let God keep you strong.
Jammie Neill-Ziller
Kathryn Brady Ragan
Monday, May 25, 2009
I was honored to be maid-of-honor at Meredith and Oley's wedding, Karen, David and Susan there are no words to tell you how sorry I am at the death of father. He was a dear friend. Kathryn
David J. Allen
Monday, May 25, 2009
David,
To the best and life long friend my prayers are with you and yours in this time of sad ness. My you find joy and love from family and friends during this time. My prayers are alos with you Karen and Susan.
Do take care…..David A.
tom Brock
Monday, May 25, 2009
Oley was one of a kind and a dear friend to the citizens of Southwest Liltle Rock for over 20 years. We will surely miss him.
Tom and Tommye Brock
Coach Harold Tilley (Wilson Tiger) & wife Carolyn
Monday, May 25, 2009
Our deepest sympathy to your family.
Bill and Joerene Golenor
Monday, May 25, 2009
Karen, we were so sorry to read of your father's passing. He was a great man. He was the one who
got hold of us when Mary Jayne was hurt in that acci-dent when both of you were in college. Ihave been ever grateful he was there and took charge. She was losing a lot of blood. I'm glad you were good friends.
I hope you, David and Susan are close and can
comfort one another Love, JoeRene Golenor
The Hoyt Family
Monday, May 25, 2009
All of our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
He was truly one of a kind, but the memory of all the good times stay with us for ever.
Alton "Al" Owens
Monday, May 25, 2009
Oley had many friends spanning all of his years, from his early school through a successful business career. I was blessed to be included. .
He was an outstanding and true friend to many, and will be missed.
Our country has lost a true patriot.
Ginny Belotti
Monday, May 25, 2009
Karen, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers !
Ginny and Rico
Laura Reynolds
Sunday, May 24, 2009
My family and I rented a house from Mr. Rooker in Little Rock. He also told us to call him Oley, but I could not. My husband and I got divorced and Mr. Rooker told me if I ever needed a place to rent or a reference to call him, he also let me know that was for me only not my ex.
We passed each other a few years after I had moved out from his property, he not only recognized me, but he remembered my name immediately and asked how I liked living in Texas. I was stunned that he would remember me and where someone had called him from a year or two prior.
He will be missed.
Laura
Plano, Texas
Jim Jenkins
Sunday, May 24, 2009
David,
My prayers are with your family
Wallace Davenport
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I will never forget Oley. He was one of the best of Wilson's Tigers and I remember his smile that he had for everyone. I last talked to Oley in Lafayette, LA several years ago during one of Betty's trips. I will miss him but know that he is in a better place now and without any pain.
Sam and Carol Mathews
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Karen,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your father.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Bob.
May God bless and surround you with His comforting love.
Carol and Sam Mathews
Pat Kumpuris
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I was privileged to call Oley my friend. And a good friend he was - in the good times and in the bad times, he always made me laugh. I will miss him very much. My prayers are with you, Susan, Karen, David and your families.
Janet C Berry
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Oley was a wonderful advocate for southwest Little Rock & he will be missed.
Norm Floyd & Janet Berry
Richard and Janet Swaty
Sunday, May 24, 2009
To whom it may concern:
We share in your loss.
The B.R. Swaty Family
Richard and Janet Swaty
Sunday, May 24, 2009
To whom it may concern:
We share in your loss.
The B.R. Swaty Family
Maxine Hogan Tribble
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Oley was a long time friend of my late husband, Jimmie D. Tribble. They went all through school together. Oley was always the "Life of any Party " and was
so much fun to be around. He had never met a stranger and made friends every where he went. You could not be " down " around Oley because he would make you laugh when you felt like crying. All of his many friends will
continue to treasure our "Happy Days" with our free spirited buddy. MHT
Crystal Valley Property Owner's Association
Sunday, May 24, 2009
We are so very sorry for your loss. We will sure miss him.
Shirle Saxton
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Oley was a wonderful person,, always trying to make people laugh and feel good. He brightened up the room. Breakfast at Andy's won't be the same without him.
W.C. Barlow
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I think Oley was one of the nicest guy I ever met. I know his family will miss him dearly. He will be missed at our family reunions. He was such a happy go lucky person. May god speed be with the family
Jean Lanier
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I will always remember Oley with laughter, for when you were with him there would be laughter. We had a good visit this past April and that is they way I will remember him. He was my husband's, (Jesse Lanier) dearest friend; they had known each other and been friends since second grade. Jesse will be there to welcome him to the hearafter. I am grateful for the gift of Oley's friendship.
Chuck Foley
Sunday, May 24, 2009
May God be with you to guide you and give you strenth through this trying time.
don castleberry
Saturday, May 23, 2009
We first met on a city bus coming home from East Side Jr. High. Oley was in grade 8and I was in 7. He was 'cutting -up", yelling at people outside,and the driver(but just in good fun). I never forgot him and we shared breakfast at Andy's for many years, after I returned to Arkansas in retirement.. Oley lived life on his own terms and I admired him for that. DON
bob laser and family
Saturday, May 23, 2009
it was a priviledge to be oley's brother-in -law. we loved him and will miss him. may god bless his family.
Jerry Rooker & Barbara Rooker Hall
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time