Thomas Joseph VanPelt

THOMAS JOSEPH "T.J." VANPELT, 27, of Little Rock died Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Born December 14, 1991, to Steven Wayne VanPelt and Brandi Douglas Collins in Little Rock, he graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 2010. T.J. had a long struggle with addiction. He died of a drug overdose after a period of sobriety. The numerous deaths from heroin and fentanyl in recent years have touched so many families and taken so many bright stars from this world. T.J. was one of those bright stars. He was a compassionate, kind, funny, smart young man. He had a beautiful smile and was loved by so many. Addiction took him from his family too soon and robbed this world of the life he had to offer. His family hopes that by telling his story we may in some way help other addicts find recovery and other families know they are not alone. T.J. suffered from the disease of addiction, but he was so much more than that and addiction did not define him or his life. T.J. loved his little brother, animals, Arkansas' great outdoors - deer hunting in particular, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. His passion for sports came from his father. T.J. enjoyed playing all sports, especially football, which he played from fifth grade through high school. He enjoyed many trips with his family to Arkansas' rivers and woods, especially the Buffalo River and a special place with special people on the South Fork of the Spring River that was near and dear to his heart. T.J. loved to travel and loved history and geography, always studying the maps whenever he traveled to a new place. He was a kind and giving boy to younger kids and his heart swelled with joy and pride to finally become a big brother when he was 16 years old. T.J. only wished he had become a brother to Matthew sooner. T.J.'s friendly smile and ability to connect with others served him very well in his recently found occupation as a salesman at Bale Chevrolet and Subaru of Little Rock. He is survived by his mother Brandi Douglas Collins and his stepfather, John Collins; brother, Matthew Collins; grandmother, Martha Kirk VanPelt; uncles, Al VanPelt, Kirk VanPelt (Kelly), Scott VanPelt (Lisa); numerous cousins and extended family as well as a host of friends and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Steven Wayne VanPelt; grandfather, Albert Earl VanPelt, Sr., grandmother, Lisa Webb Murphy; grandfather, William Richard Douglas, Sr. and uncle, William Richard Douglas, Jr. Funeral services will be held at St Michael's Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Memorials can be made to the Wolfe Street Foundation or the Buffalo River Foundation. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. To sign the online guestbook visit www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.