Roy Morton Schuster

ROY MORTON SCHUSTER, 92, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Dec. 15, 2011. He was born on April 27, 1919, in Glendale, Calif., to the late Joseph and Lillian Goldstein Schuster. He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Rose Wood Schuster, who passed away Nov. 17, 2011. He played football for the University of Southern California and was an avid Trojan fan, traveling to numerous games across the country to support his team. He began his retail career in New York City in the mid 1940s, during the beginning of the television boom era. Being quite successful he was contacted to become a partner and general manager of six electronic stores in Houston and Lubbock Texas. After he sold his interest in the business, he became a wholesale representative for a television manufacturer covering six states including Arkansas. In the summer of 1959, he opened Esquire Bargain City in the first shopping center built in Little Rock, the Village Shopping Center. One of his favorite aspects of the business was advertising, and he loved to promote sales. He was the first furniture retailer in Little Rock to use television for advertising. He enjoyed telling the story of how he accidentally smashed a television screen on live TV, while using a baseball bat to demonstrate its shatter proof glass. Calmly he looked at the camera man and said, "it's a Home Run." In 1964, he opened Schuster's Home Furnishings in the University Shopping Center. He had the idea of having the Schuster Rooster as the spokesperson for the business with the slogan, "we have something to crow about," but was quickly vetoed by his partner and son Marshall. He grew the business and operated several more locations in the state for over 40 years until his retirement, working side by side with his son and eventually, his grandson. It was truly a family business and he will be missed dearly. He is survived by two daughters, Joan Sack, of Hot Springs, Ark., and Billie and son-in-law, Ed Shaffer, of Houston, Texas, son Marshall Schuster Sr. and daughter-in-law, Nancy, of Little Rock. Grandchildren, Kathy Mentink South, Elgin, Ill., Steven Sack, of Winetka, Ill., Rene' Rehwald, of Windlake, Wisc., Kristie Walton, of Houston, Texas, Leslie Myers, of Windlake, Wisc., and Wayne Walton Jr., of Houston, Texas, and Marshall Schuster Jr., Mandy Schuster, and Mark Schuster, all of Little Rock and 14 great-grandchildren, who all lovingly called him "Pop." He is also survived by his brother, Lee Layport, of Oak Harbor, Wash. Services are private. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.