Richard James Orintas, Sr. passed away from a brief illness in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock.  Whether we called him Ric, Popster, Bones, or Big O, he was greatly loved by his family and friends.

He was born on March 2, 1942 in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Florence and Francis (Fritz) Orintas, and because of his father’s job with the Timex Corporation, was able to live in Texas and Scotland, before settling in North Little Rock.  He was a proud graduate of Catholic High School for Boys, and received both his undergraduate and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  He began his law career with the firm formally known as Max Howell and Dale Price, now known as Hope, Price and O’Dwyer, P.A. and then partnered with the late Jerry Faubus, before beginning his solo career.

Legend has it that he once held the record for the most rounds played at his beloved Chenal Country Club in a single year, and my memory is sketchy, but I think he was widely known for some winning Appeals to the Arkansas Supreme Court.

He is survived by his wife (me), Melanie Brackett Orintas of 45 years, his beloved children, Debbie Orintas Teague and her husband Michael, of Little Rock, and Richard James Orintas, Jr. (Bo) of Fayetteville, his brothers, James F. Orintas of Little Rock and Ronald J. Orintas and his wife, Pam, of Hot Springs Village.  He was adored by his beautiful grandchildren, Tucker Teague, and his wife Haley O’Dwyer Teague, and Abby Teague of Fayetteville and her friend, Wyatt McMahan.  They all lovingly called him Popster, his nephew, James “Jammer” Orintas and his wife Mary Katherine (MK) Klinefelter and their two beautiful girls, Marilyn and Emme of New Orleans.  He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Burke and Kristi Brackett of Rogers and their children, Evan Lawrence, and his fiancé, Abigail Covington, of Conway, the Rev. Joel Brackett, currently serving at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Texarkana, Arkansas, and Grace Brackett of Springdale.

We would like to thank the incredible surgeons at UAMS and the 4F wing of the ICU there for their loving care of our Popster, Dr. Michael Ford of CHI who was his primary care physician for many, many years, and the final care he received at Hospice Home Care.

A private family Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, a Celebration of his Life will be at Chenal Country Club from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Catholic High School for Boys, 6300 Tribou Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or Msgr. Hebert Endowment Fund at Christ the King Catholic Church, named after Msgr. Gaston Hebert who married us 45 years ago in Pocahontas, Arkansas – the address is 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212.   The family encourages acts of kindness, compassion, inclusion, tolerance and service to others in his memory. May we honor his life by treating one another with respect, understanding, and grace.

Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com