Obituaries

Gerald Barlett Renner

Photo of Gerald Barlett Renner
A few minutes after Fathers Day, Gerald Barlett Renner, 83, went to be with his Heavenly Father and joined his parents Gertrude and Delbert Renner and his sister Lois in Heaven. He was born on July 21, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife Bernice and their children, Cathy Suen, Carol Goddard and Michael Renner; grandchildren, Mandy Redfern, Clayton Suen, Debbie Arnold and Jenna Suen; great-grandchildren, Katie and Nicholas Redfern. He attended the University of Minnesota before joining the U.S. Air Force. He served on a B-29 flight crew during the Korean War and was actively involved in photo intellegence. The rest of his military career was spent as a navigator on a B-52 bomber. While stationed at Eglin AFB Gerald was on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After serving his country in active duty he was part of the Air Force Reserve and he also worked as a navigator for several civilian airlines. In 1956 he met Bernice Thomazin at Park Ave Methodist Church where they were married on March 15, 1957. In 1971 they moved to Little Rock where he owned and operated the IHOP at Markham and University for 30 years before retiring. He enjoyed making stained glass for which he received multiple blue ribbons at several State Fairs. He enjoyed traveling to visit his family and friends and to explore our great United States along with many other parts of the world. Gerald loved to swim, wear funny hats and ties, and was always known for his kindness, humor, wit, and creativity. He loved his Savior Jesus Christ and his family above all else. He will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2013 in the Chapel of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home followed by the military service at 12 noon at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock. Memorial may be made to Lifeway Baptist Church, 800 Wellington Village Road, Little Rock, Ark 72211 or to the Navigator Scholarship at AFNOA Scholarship Committee, c/o Dr. James Bannerman, 761 Marina Point Dr., Daytona Beach, Fla. 32114. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneral homes.com/chenal.

Published June 20, 2013

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