Kent Rorie

KENT RORIE, age 63, passed away at his home in Maumelle, Ark. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. He was a former resident of Pine Bluff. Lee Kent Rorie was born March 14, 1951 to Allie Forrest Rorie and Helen Ray Rorie in Flippin, Ark. A 1969 graduate of Yellville-Summit High School, he went on to receive his bachelor of science in animal science from the University of Arkansas in 1973. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army as an officer, where he served in Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Rucker, Ala. and Badkreuznach, Germany. In 1977, he returned to the University of Arkansas, where he completed his master of science in animal science in 1979. Upon completion of his graduate studies, he began his career with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. He worked as a county extension agent in White and Fulton counties and Prairie, Jackson, Miller and Jefferson counties, where he also served as staff chairman. In 1997, he was promoted to the state office, where he was associate district director and ultimately district director for the Southeast and Delta districts. After a brief retirement in 2007, he returned to the University of Arkansas, where he worked as an employment manager and also as the assistant to the vice president for agriculture, where he remained until retirement in 2009. In addition to his full-time job, he continued his military service by joining the Arkansas National Guard in 1979. In 1997, he transferred to the Army Reserves, where he taught U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He retired from the Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Graper Rorie of Maumelle, whom he married on Oct. 26, 1994; his daughter, Jennifer (Justin) Bradford of Fayetteville; his son, Robby (Cynthia) Rorie of Marion; two step-children, David Jauch and Julie Miller of Vilonia; four brothers, Forrest Gay (Nancy) Rorie of Mountain Home, Roderick Rorie and A.J. (Gayla) Rorie, of Yellville and Rick (Rebecca) Rorie of Springdale; one sister, Ruth Jones of Flippin; three nieces; four nephews; three step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dr. Duane K. Rorie. A funeral service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Little Rock on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Lisa Frye officiating. Arrangements are by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services of Pine Bluff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi Street, Little Rock, AR 72207. Online condolences: FullerFunerals.com.