Dennis Davenport

Dennis R. Davenport, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on February 5, 2015 due to stroke complications. Davenport was born May 27, 1936 to Coy and Esther Davenport in North Pulaski County. Following graduation from Jacksonville High School, he served in the U.S. Army before graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Davenport was in the vending machine business prior to founding Popatop, Inc. in 1974. He quickly established his business and became known as the wine and spirits expert and was often called upon by others in that beverage field for assistance. Popatop grew to become one of the largest retail liquor and wine businesses in Arkansas. For many years Popatop had the only climate controlled wine room in the State and was the State's largest retail outlet for keg sales. In 1991, Davenport's Popatop was named among the nation's "Top 10 Retailers" by Beverage Dynamics, a beverage alcohol business magazine. In 1993, Market Watch included Popatop as a Super Star Retailer. In addition to operating Popatop, for several years, Davenport owned and operated Bogart's and later Cafe' Lugano in North Little Rock. He traveled to Italy where he spent time with restaurant operators and he soon became an excellent chef himself. He also took pride in introducing new talent at Lugano's and the group known as Recovery became his pride and joy. Davenport was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and served on its school board for several years. He was a member of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Hospitality Association and a past president of the Arkansas Restaurant Association. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Mary Lou and one brother Melvin Davenport (Karen) of Jacksonville. His children include Dennis R. Davenport Jr., Natalie Hollowell (Chuck), Kristie Davenport all of North Little Rock, Carmen Hennelly (Tom) of Fayetteville, Keena Melton (Tim) of New York and the mother of his children, Andrea Cassinelli. He will be missed by his six grandchildren, Keaton, Evan and Claire Hollowell, Brendan Hennelly, Tyler and Kammie Melton. He was loved and respected by his extended family Don, Holly and Dylan Williams, Eric, Kimberly, Olvia and Elise Berry, Julie, Kalie and Dax Williams, and Adam and Austin Durr. The family will appreciate memorials to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock or to Gentiva Hospice, 10800 Financial Centre Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211. Mass of Christian burial will be held 1 p.m., Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., Sunday followed by a rosary service at 3 p.m., at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.