Pinkney Merrigan Deal

Pinkney Merrigan Deal died April 21, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. Pink was born November 17, 1930 to Margaret Malone Deal and Preston Merrigan Deal in Little Rock, Ark. Pink was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Bebe, on March 20, 2013, his mother and father Margaret Malone and Preston Merrigan Deal, and his grandparents Alice M. and David P. Deal and Linnie L. and John K. Malone and his cousin Samuel Leo Davis. He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Deal Wyman, John W. "Buzz" Wyman and Elizabeth "Iboo" Deal Miller (Alan), sister-in-law, Marilyn McKinney Hall, brother-in-law, Richard H McKinney, Jr; his grandsons, James Wesley Wyman (Mallory), Christopher Merrigan Wyman (Holly Morgan) and John Benjamin Wyman and his step-grandchildren, Matthew, Spencer and Morgan Miller. His is also survived by his cousin, Virginia Brown Davis and second cousins, Arthur, Katie and "Gigi" Davis; cousin, Nancy Wolf [Louis] and cousins David Overstreet (Ginny). His is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, Frank P Hall III [Sherry], David McKinney Hall, Frank Cox McKinney [Shannon], Marcy McKinney Hall, F Preston Hall IV, Keatts Gorman McKinney, David McKinney Hall, Jr and Jacob M Hall. Pink graduated from Little Rock High School where he enjoyed many fun times with the PIE fraternity. He continued to enjoy PIE relationships and monthly luncheons throughout his life. Pink attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville for two years before entering the United States Air Force, proudly and bravely flying B-26 Invaders from 1950-1956 in the Korean War. During his time of service, he was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on April 30, 1956 with the rank of First Lieutenant. He returned to the University where he met the love of his life, Bebe. They married on December 28, 1957, and lived in Little Rock where he was the proprietor of The Camera Center, then located at Capitol and Center Streets. He later enjoyed a long career in real estate first with his brother-in-law at McKinney & Taylor and then The Janet Jones Co. until his retirement in 2006. Pink was a kind, loving and honorable man, a wonderful father and an enthusiastic grandfather to his three grandsons. He truly had a heart of gold. Pink enjoyed many weekends on Lake Hamilton with his family putting out trot lines and catching mammoth catfish on jugs. Pink loved his Chris-Craft more than life itself and tooled all around Lake Hamilton with his "hair" blowing in the wind. He loved watching Razorback football with Debbie and his grandsons and was a huge Hog fan to the end. He took enormous pride in his grandsons and loved each of them for their own unique qualities and talents. He had a passion for duck hunting, enjoying many a hunt (ducks or no ducks) with James, Alan and his best buddies. Pink and Bebe shared a wonderful life full of family and friends. They loved their dogs, Coco, Elsa and Mayday who provided them with great companionship and joy. They entertained together, travelled together, retired together and took care of each other. In the end, they did not want to be apart. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Stephen Tucker, Dr. Drew Kumpuris, Dr. Hamid Mumtaz, Dr. Fred Meadors, Dr. Dean Kumpuris, Dr. Cliff Johnson, Dr. Kevin Heifner and the amazing nursing staff of St. Vincent Infirmary Coronary Care Unit for their exceptional care during his illness. A celebration of Pink's life will be held Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Second Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. officiated by Reverend Steve Hancock at 600 Pleasant Valley Drive with a reception immediately following. Memorials may be made to Dunbar Community Garden, P.O. Box 165317, Little Rock, Ark. 72216 or Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72227 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the directive of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.