Tom M. Narrell

Tom M. Narrell, 72, of Little Rock passed away on December 4th, 2022. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, North Little Rock. Tom was employed for 30 years by the Arkansas State Bank Department, and served with the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1971 to 1990.

Tom graduated from Catholic High School in 1968 and attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He loved watching movies, air shows with his buddies, and enjoyed cooking for friends. Tom will be missed by all his family and friends, whom he loved.

Tom began his banking career in early 1971 at Commercial National Bank, working as a bank messenger. He also worked in the bookkeeping, trust, and credit departments. In 1974, he joined the Arkansas State Bank Department as a Safety and Soundness Examiner. Tom’s additional banking experience included the Trust Operations Manager for Worthen Bank, and Trust Operations Manager for First Commercial Trust. Tom returned to the Arkansas State Bank Department in 1987 to build, staff, and lead the Trust Examination program and the Compliance Examination program.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Florence Siepiela Narrell. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Karen L. Narrell of Little Rock, his son Matthew T. Narrell of Denver, the mother of his son, Jeanne Welch, brothers-in-law Luigi (Lisa) Martone, Artie Martone, Larry (Nancy) Chesser, Paul (Sandra) Chesser, Mark Chesser, sisters-in-law Ann Brumbelow, Becky (David) Perkins, Mary Kelly, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Tom is also survived by his brothers and sisters of the heart, John and Carolyn Turner, Bill Woods, and Stacey Leder.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses, aids, and staff at CHI St. Vincent Hospital, Baptist Health Medical Center, BHRI, CHI St. Vincent Sherwood Rehab, Briarwood Nursing & Rehab, and Hospice Home Care Comfort Care Center.

A visitation will be held at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114, on December 9th, at 2:00pm. A celebration of Tom’s life will follow at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Home Care, Comfort Care Center, 2200 South Bowman Road, Little Rock, AR 72211, or the charity of your choice.

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Tommy (call sign ROVER) worked with his friends Bon (Johnny) and Bill in the Airshow business many summers and enjoyed the outdoors with historic aircraft immensely. He was a hard worker, being in the fields for up to three days in the hot summer heat with his Pith helmet, Khaki shorts, 21st Century Airshows Golf Shirt, and Handheld Aircraft Radio attached to his belt. His Airshow uniform and equipment along with his overstocked vintage Medic bag was always packed and ready to go, and still is.  Tommy was well respected and liked by all the performers and staff and was invited to fly on a World War II, four engine bomber, the famous B17 Aluminum Overcast. Tommy flew in the honored position of Flight Engineer standing between the two Pilots on the flight deck. Tommy was also a good sport putting up with the usual Airshow pranks and teasing all received during the event. When Tommy retired from doing Airshows the heart, soul, and fun of working then ceased for his crew.

Fly high Tommy - you have earned your wings

Bon, Bill, Opp, and Dennis