Brock Stroman

Louis Brock Stroman, Jr of Mayflower, Arkansas departed this life on December 3, 2024 from the effects of an aggressive gallbladder cancer that was diagnosed too late to afford him successful treatment. He was born on September 19, 1951 in Magnolia, Arkansas to Louis Brock Stroman, Sr and Wilda Wood Stroman. Brock graduated from Little Rock McClellan High School in 1970 and University of Arkansas Little Rock in 1974 with a degree in biology and chemistry. He started working in the family furniture and television manufacturing business in 1974 and took the CEO position when his father retired in 1989. 

Brock is survived by his spouse of 39 years, David Kelley, his siblings, Sheryl Stroman Funderberg of Alexander, Mark Stroman (Becky) of Little Rock, Alan Stroman (Keli) of Little Rock, Tamara Stroman of Maumelle, and his sister-in-law, Ruthann Kelley Barrington (Rick) of North Little Rock. He is also survived by 12 nephews and nieces, 19 great nephews and nieces, and countless friends and family.

Brock was happiest when he was in his garden tending to his vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. He took immense pride in his garden, which was a vibrant oasis for pollinators and a source of fresh produce for neighbors, friends, and family. Brock not only raised the produce, but he also processed and canned continuously through the summer. It was very common that when you visited Brock and David in their home that you would leave with a sack full of goodies. The only thing that Brock asked was that you return the canning jars once they were empty. On most occasions, Brock would replace your empties with more goodies. Brock loved to be praised for his canning efforts. He gushed when he heard the words “that blackberry jam was fantastic”, “those dill pickles were the best that I have ever had”, “that frozen breaded okra was spiced perfectly”. Any of these types of compliments meant you went to the top of the list for future bounties.

Brock loved all of God’s creatures. Over the years, his nemesis was those pesky rabbits and armadillos that would ravage his garden. “This is it! I’m going to kill those suckers next time I see them in the garden!”. Of course, this never happened. He was too tenderhearted. Instead, he trapped them and rehomed them far from his house. He not only rehomed the rabbits and armadillos, but also raccoons, opossums, and skunks. Every year, he would go down to the beach behind his house and find turtle nests before the raccoons could rob them. He would carefully dig up the eggs and then take them back to the house to incubate them. Once they hatched, he would release them in the river.

Brock loved his fur babies. He had numerous dogs and cats throughout his life. His favorite was a stray dog that he found in his neighborhood. He named her Sandy. They were inseparable until she passed in 2018. There is no doubt that Sandy was waiting for him at the rainbow bridge and showered him with love and kisses. 

Brock loved to travel - preferably by car. His favorite adventures were just getting in the car and going with no itinerary. He and David had traveled by car to 49 states and 11 Canadian provinces. They were scheduled to fly to the 50th state (Hawaii) on October 7th of this year, which was their 39th anniversary, but the gallbladder cancer diagnosis on September 24th halted those plans. What this disease may have taken from him pales in comparison to the fullness of joy in which he lived his life.

Although Brock loved flowers and plants, he loved people even more; therefore, in lieu of flowers, Brock would like donations to be made to Open Door Community Church (https://sherwoodopendoor.org/giving/), Arkansas Hospice (https://www.arkansashospice.org/foundation/donate), or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Brock’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home with a visitation to be held 1 hour prior at 11:00 AM. 

Arrangements entrusted to Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. Sign the guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.