Dennis Randolph Brant

Dennis. R. Brant, 82, of North Little Rock died Thursday after a 25-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born Nov. 17, 1942, in Sebastian County to Flossie (Perkins) and Boyd R. Brant. The family lived in Van Buren until around 1950 when they moved to Illinois with the railroad before settling in North Little Rock in 1958.

Dennis was a 1960 graduate of North Little Rock High School, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from what is now the University of Central Arkansas. He was with the National Teacher Corps for two years before joining the Little Rock School District where he taught physics, mathematics and computer science from 1968 until his retirement in 2003. Known to his students as Big Brant, his classroom was always open — often with the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the doorway — providing a space for kids to eat lunch, study or just hang out. For many years he worked the district’s homework hotline and would often share his home number with his students if they needed additional help.

He was a 1988 recipient of the Stephens Award from City Education Trust and a 1989 finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching.

In addition to sponsoring numerous school clubs, he also coached the girls soccer team.

He was an extraordinary teacher able to take complex topics of advanced mathematics and physics and explain them to even the most math-adverse student. As a student himself, he did not miss a single day of school in the first grade or the 12th grade (we don’t need to mention the years in between) and he prided himself on never taking a sick day.

He was Scout Master Brant to the boys and young men of Troop 133 and advisor to the co-ed teens of Explorer Post/Crew 8; leading them on all sorts of outdoor adventures through the woods, down the river and up the mountain. As he would tell his scouts it’s only “this far on the map.”The Brants were hosts to international exchange students from Argentina, Colombia, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and El Salvador.

After retiring, Dennis enjoyed traveling the world visiting many of his former students and international family. When he wasn’t traveling, he was fully embracing his role as Grandpa.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 63 years, Paulette Smith Brant; son Kyle (Amber); daughter Kelly (Joe); grandchildren Danny, Gavin, Andy, Brooke and Autumn; five great-grandchildren; sister Phyllis Dillon; aunt Betty Vandergriff; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; and longtime caregiver Johnny Nash.

Visitation is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Dennis requested donations be made to any organization focused on the study and cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. 501-758-1170.