Bob Smith

BOB SMITH, 75, of North Little Rock, Ark., died Monday, Oct. 20 at UAMS Medical Center. He was born Aug. 5, 1939 in Tulsa, Okla. and has been a resident of North Little Rock, Ark., for the past 60 years. Bob was in insurance sales for many years, beginning with Babb & Associates and then in 1980 formed a partnership with Charles Allen as Allen-Smith Insurance Agency. They subsequently sold the agency in 2000 to Bancorp South (Ramsey, Krug, Farrell & Lensing), where he was still employed as Senior Vice President Construction & Aviation Division. Bob's great passion was flying and he also had a 35 year career as a flight and ground school instructor. He had a dream of a Christian mission using his flying in Equador. He served God in so many ways doing so much for so many. Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and is a 32nd degree Mason. Bob was a friend of Bill W. Mr. Smith was a Christian who received salvation at the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade in Little Rock and continued to live his faith every day in every way. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock and for the last 30 years attended First Assembly of God in North Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mary B. Smith. Survivors include his brother, William H. Smith (Marlene ) of Las Cruces, N.M.; sister, Amelia Smith of Tulsa, Okla.; nieces, Dr. Kathy Cooper (Dr. James Cooper), Meric Shipman, Stacie (Gary) Thomas, and Lisa (Jeffery) Ruppel. Also, his nephews, Stephen Smith and David (Shirley) Smith. He will be missed and forever loved by his former wife, Nancy Smith; his constant companion, Carol Shutter; special friends, Betty Stearns, and the Stearns family. All grieve his loss as well as the host of friends, business associates and flying buddies. He loved his friends and was well loved in return. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 in the chapel at Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117 with the funeral service beginning at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park. Please share your memories of Bob at www.griffinleggett.com.