Chris Ruple

CHRIS DWAYNE RUPLE

Chris (August 30, 1956 - September 13, 2021) was born to Annie Darlene Rogers and Clyde Albert Ruple. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Clyde Curtis Ruple. Chris is survived by his son Shane and wife Jennifer and by his chosen life partner, Terry Lovell.

Cutting hair was always his passion. He cut friends' and neighbors' hair while he still attended public school. His professional career began with training at Arkansas College of Barbering. His first job was at a barber shop on Pike Avenue in North Little Rock.  He then continued with an extended career at Classic Cutters. For a short period of time he worked in Monticello.  He returned to North Little Rock to open Salon Christopher on Landers Road, eventually relocating to the current location on North Hills Boulevard. He cut hair and lived his dream for well over 45 years. And what a salesman he was!  He could make people believe that they needed whatever he had to sell. Remember the $150 a bottle shampoo??

Whatever his current interest, Chris gave it his all. At one time he was an avid outdoorsman, camping and hiking all over Arkansas and along the west coast with his son Shane. He even hiked solo in the Canadian Rockies. He and Shane enjoyed all kinds of water recreation with friends, including skiing, boating, and jet skiing. As an accomplished dancer, he loved to dance and always had fun. Chris and Terry shared a love for dance, and they literally met on the dance floor. They also shared a love of travel and traveled the world together.

Chris had an insatiable, obsessive curiosity. When a topic piqued his curiosity, he jumped in with both feet and learned everything he could about it. Does anyone remember the emu eggs? What about his interests in brewing beer, his horse obsession, or his love of cooking? Or how prepared he always tried to be?

He was the “King of all he surveyed.”  He was the “Dude.”

Chris was a people person. He loved people, and he NEVER met a stranger. He had a gift for making people laugh with his corny jokes and always had a mischievous gleam in his eye.

The outpouring of love and concern for Chris when he was hospitalized (and for Shane and Terry, both at that time and now in their grief) demonstrates so eloquently how very deeply he was loved by all.

Chris, we miss you more than you know. We hope you love cutting hair in heaven.

Visitation will be 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Monday, September 20, 2021 at Smith-Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107) with a memorial service immediately following at 7:30PM. Family requests masks be worn at all times.