Thomas Rooney

Dr. Thomas Patrick Rooney, 80, passed away August 22, 2016 at Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock due to metastatic renal cell carcinoma. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Mildred and Donald Rooney on September 20, 1935. He was raised in Kansas City and graduated from St. John's Seminary in 1955. Dr. Rooney's college career began at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis where he studied to become a Roman Catholic Priest. After a short time at Kenrick, he decided not to enter the priesthood and returned to Kansas City to graduate from Rockhurst College in 1957. Following graduation, he entered St. Louis University School of Medicine and earned his medical degree in 1961. After medical school, he enlisted in the Medical Corps for the United States Navy as a lieutenant and completed an internship at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois, then served at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay until 1966. He completed an orthopaedic residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Decatur, Georgia before settling in Little Rock to join the practice of orthopaedist, Dr. John Hundley in 1969. A few years later, he opened his own practice in North Little Rock where he remained for the duration of his medical career. Dr. Rooney's career as an orthopaedic surgeon reflected compassion and devotion to the thousands of patients he served. He was beloved and respected for his intelligence, calm demeanor and integrity. He is remembered by colleagues not only for his kindness, but also his quick wit and sometimes off-color comments; often seen making rounds in designer jeans and occasionally accompanied by grandchildren. Even though he was dedicated to his profession, he always made time for family and friends. He loved playing golf, spending time at his farm in Cabot, working out, practicing yoga and reading. A cherished family memory is of him sitting on the sofa with a dog in his lap surrounded by books, magazines and newspapers with reading glasses perched at the end of his nose and his head buried in a book. Dr. Rooney is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jessica Rauton Rooney, of North Little Rock; daughter, Meredith Cox and her husband Robert of Fayetteville; daughter, Erin Wheeler and her children-Sheridan and Jackson of Chicago; daughter, Kathleen Rooney of Hot Springs; daughter, Maggie Thompson and her husband Geoff and their children-Connor and Callum of Maumelle; son, Patrick Rooney of North Little Rock; brother, Tim Rooney of Pine, Colorado; sister, Gayle Deveney of Raytown, Missouri; former wife, Marilyn Rooney of Jefferson City, Missouri; many loving in-laws; nieces, nephews and dogs, Sally and Stella. Dr. Rooney was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donnie Rooney. Dr. Rooney is grateful for the service of his professional family at the McCain Orthopaedic Clinic over the last four decades. The family would like to thank his nurse, Terry Stafford, his office manager, Terri Watson and staff, Lisa Farquharson and Rachel Heffington, for their years of dedicated loyalty and commitment to his practice. Heartful gratitude is extended to the doctors, nurses and staff of Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock who expertly and lovingly cared for Dr. Rooney over the last month. Please join the family to honor the life of Dr. Rooney. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 26th at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock from 6 to 8 p.m. Father Joseph Orlowski will deliver a Latin Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Saturday, August 27th at 1 p.m., 211 West 19th Street, North Little Rock. Charitable donations may be made to the following organizations: Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016, www.kidney.org, or North Little Rock Animal Shelter, #1 Championship Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118. Visit the online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.