Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Jerry Warren Tarkington, 77

Jerry Warren Tarkington, 77 of North Little Rock died Friday, September 8, 2017.  He was born March 22, 1940, in Stuttgart, Arkansas to the late Robert Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Eskue Tarkington. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by one brother, Bob Tarkington and a brother who died in infancy. He is survived by one brother, Jim (Janet) Tarkington, sister-in-law Tisha Tarkington, his long-time companion Carolyn Jones, two sons, Michael (Karla) Tarkington, Brett (Mona) Tarkington, a daughter Holly (Paul) Eckhardt and grandchildren Taylor, Haley, Victoria and Christopher Tarkington and Chaney Eckhardt. 

Those who met Jerry Tarkington did not soon forget him.  He never met a stranger and had a unique way of drawing others around him into the conversation.  He enjoyed savoring a home-cooked meal and spending time with family and friends.  Some of his most cherished memories were made on the annual family fishing trips. He loved Razorback football and in his lifetime experienced many history book-worthy games which he relished retelling with great embellishment, hard fought victories and staggering defeats. He possessed a keen memory and readily recalled names, faces, numbers, events and random facts which he creatively and craftily weaved into his stories. He was a veteran (U.S. Army), a member of the Elks Lodge of North Little Rock and attended Baring Cross Baptist Church. He fought his years-long battle with cancer just as he lived his life; with stubborn tenacity and a positive outlook. His friendship, his smile, his stories and his companionship will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 16th at 10:00 A.M. at Baring Cross Baptist Church in Sherwood with a gathering of family and friends immediately following.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400

 

16 Comments

  • Gina Bruner Marshall Rickford Posted September 11, 2017 8:08 PM

    Thinking and praying for the family and dear friends of Mr. Tarkington. I have so many happy memories growing up across the street from the Tarkington home, where we were all like family. Love and hugs to you all.

  • Sandy Rogers Posted September 11, 2017 8:18 PM

    Thoughts and Prayers❤️

  • Amy Elliott Posted September 11, 2017 10:13 PM

    This is a beautifully written tribute. Prayers for his family and loved ones.

  • Susan June-Castleman Posted September 12, 2017 3:06 AM

    Brett and Mike I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I pray Gods peace may comfort you two as well as your whole family. God Bless!

  • Debra Garcia Posted September 12, 2017 8:13 AM

    You will be missed so much. Words can never say how highly you were thought of. You leave a hole in our hearts. God bless and keep you.

  • Shirley Vanderslice Posted September 12, 2017 8:33 AM

    Jerry was a kind, considerate person and my life was enriched from knowing him and listening to his kind advice. He was a bright spot!

  • Joy Gunter Posted September 12, 2017 9:06 AM

    Jerry and my dad, Pat Gunter, were old fishing buddies, along with their friend Frank. I always loved when they came home and I was able to hear Jerry tell us of their trip. He was a wonderful story teller who was great at embellishing the story. Whether it was how big the fish was that he let get away or how big the snake was that fell into the boat. I know my dad misses his fishing buddy and all that knew him will miss him. Elks are never forgotten.

  • Sherlyn Kaye Gash Cale Posted September 12, 2017 3:21 PM

    So Sorry to lose such a sweet man. I remember his funny jokes and his laugh. My prayers are with all of you but especially my classmate, his brother Jimmy.

  • Sherlyn Kaye Gash Cale Posted September 12, 2017 3:24 PM

    So sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you. I am a classmate of Jimmy, EHS 1960

  • Faye Gash Stewart Posted September 12, 2017 8:32 PM

    It’s been years since I last saw Jerry. He was a friend to all who knew him. My sympathy to his children, Jimmy, Janet & all special people in his life.

  • Sue Hunter Posted September 13, 2017 5:39 PM

    I was so sorry to hear of Jerrys passing. My condolences to Mike, Brett, and Holly. He will be missed but never forgotten. I haven’t seen him in years but remember all the good times we all had at McClellan booster meetings and games.

  • Jimmy & Donna Jones Posted September 14, 2017 9:29 PM

    Michael, Brett, and Holly, so sorry for the loss of your dad. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Sharon Kinsey Butler Posted September 15, 2017 7:09 PM

    So sad to read this in paper. My heart & prayers go out to his family. We had many fun times in England.

  • Edd & Carol Jim Hoyt Posted September 15, 2017 8:23 PM

    Dear Mike, Brett and Holly, may God Bless all of you at this most difficult time, never easy to say Good By. Your Dad and I worked for the same Insurance Company back in the 60’s and later on I became His Ins. Man for the rest of his life. What a friend he was, but no more pain, no more suffering He is now at Peace.

  • Sharon Rogers Posted September 15, 2017 9:19 PM

    So sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. I remember him always being cheerful and funny the one year we were in school at the same time. Hard to be sad around him. Praying for his family

  • Don and Betty Majors Posted October 12, 2017 9:48 AM

    The world is a little less bright with the passing of our old friend. Jerry and I were England classmates grades 1 thu 12 and Betty and I have many wonderful memories of him. He was always someone you could count on for a positive view and in most cases a unique approach. A true friend who we will greatly miss. God bless his memory and comfort his family.

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