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Richard Pingley

Richard “Rich” Kent Pingley, 67, of Harrison, Ark., entered eternal life on April 25, 2014.

Born July 12, 1946, in Eades, Colo., his spirit is carried on by his family and friends from every walk of life. He graduated from Beverly High School in Beverly in 1964.

Rich was an amazing man who proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps for more than 20 years. He elevated through the ranks and retired as a master sergeant in 1984. During his service, he traveled all across the globe and even after his retirement, Rich celebrated the Marine Corps birthday each November with his fellow Marines in Harrison.

He also worked for many years as a computer programmer at FedEx Freight, formerly American Freightways, and loved to keep his coworkers laughing with his stories and quick wit. Rich was always hard working and although he enjoyed his job greatly, the best part of his day was spent with his fellow colleagues.

Rich is survived by his wife, Marsha (Allred) Pingley; and three daughters and two sons-in-law, Heide (Pingley) and David Harrell of Maumelle, Ark., April (Pingley) and Brandon Lovelace of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Ernestine Pingley of Alaska. He is also survived by two stepsons, Billy Scott and Bobby Allred; two grandsons, Kent and Sebastian Lovelace; and two granddaughters who lived with him, Jadein and Jordan Allred. Other survivors include his mother, Mable (Pinkerton) Pingley of Elkins; and five brothers, Norman Pingley of Florida, Larry Pingley of Ohio, Jim Pingley of West Virginia, Mike Pingley of West Virginia and John Pingley of West Virginia. Other survivors include many friends, church members and coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Pingley; and stepfather, Joseph Pingley.

His laughter, sense of humor, booming voice and giving spirit were his signature traits. Rich loved to read and spent many an afternoon and evening sitting on his front porch with a book and glass of iced tea. He was a huge John Wayne fan, as noted by the life-size cutout of the Duke that resided in Rich’s living room. He was also well-known for his famous chili and loved to make it for friends and family. One thing Rich loved to do more than anything was garden. He would spend hours planting and pruning his flowers, mowing the yard and, of course, sharing his beautiful “posies” with all his coworkers and friends. Rich was a member of the First United Methodist Church and worked tirelessly in helping maintain the church’s flowers for the congregation to enjoy.

His voice has been quieted for now, but will always live in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Visitations will be conducted from 6-8 p.m. today at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home in Harrison. Funeral services will be at Roller-Christeson at 10 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. David Williams officiating. A graveside service will immediately follow the service in Fayetteville National Cemetery, in Fayetteville, Ark., at 2 p.m. with Dr. Joe Bass officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Hospice of the Hills, 501 E. Sherman (Harrison, Ark.), or the First United Methodist Church, 1100 W. Bower (Harrison, Ark.).

Arrangements are by Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.