Richard Bruce Chronister

RICHARD BRUCE CHRONISTER, age 73, of Little Rock, passed away May 16, 2013, from complications of pancreatic cancer. Born in Rocky Ford, Colo. on June 16, 1939 to Richard Vernon Chronister and Lela Parrott Chronister. Graduated Conway High School in 1957, and received his B.S. degree in industrial deduction from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) in 1963. He served in the Arkansas National Guard and the United States Army Reserve for over 20 years. He was also a founding member of the Civil Air Patrol in Conway. He was called by Gov. Orval Faubus to safeguard the "Little Rock Nine" during the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. He was a Christian, avid cat lover and animal rescue supporter. He is survived by his children, Bruce Chronister (Andrea) of Conway and Shannon Chronister Loyd (Barry Loyd) of Russellville; his grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine, Jacob Loyd, and Stephen Chronister; his siblings, Ruth Voss and Nancy Steinbeck (Jewell Steinbeck); and his loving wife, Gretta Chronister. He is preceded in death by his sister J.O. Chronister and his parents. Always a supporter of the sciences, Richard, like his sister J.O., has given his body to medical science. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to; American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. A date for his memorial will be announced at a later time.