Norman William Polk

— Norman William Polk, of Rogers, Ark., died June 10, 2011, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born Aug. 9, 1930, in McNeil, Ark., to Perry and Lela Baskin Polk.

Norm was a member of First Baptist Church of Lowell. He served in the United States Air Force, as a navigator, where he learned to love flying. 

Norm grew up working in Perry Polk’s General Merchandise store. After returning from the service, he began his career in the furniture business in Warren, Ark., before relocating to Rogers in 1969, where he established Norm, Inc.

As a member of the Rogers business community, he established a reputation for integrity and honesty. He served as a Rogers City Council member for 14 years. The business flourished until 1995 when the decision was made to close the business and rent the property, which remains in the family today.

Norm passed along his Father’s legacy of business acumen, integrity and life’s lessons to his family and many employees over the years at “the store.”

Norm was a kind and generous person. He used his flying hobby to serve others in times of need, never accepting payment, including those with family emergencies, church members, staff and more. He was a big teddy bear to his family, which was not limited to those related to him. 

He was an avid pilot, flying University of Arkansas coaches to games, recruiting trips and meetings. He also used his love of flying in business and many fishing trips to Canada with his lifelong friends and sons.

A highlight of his life was attending Razorback ballgames, particularly with his loved ones. When he could no longer fly, he traded his airplane for a motor home, following the Razorbacks with Road Hogs, and seeing family along the way.

His favorite thing was to have his family gathered around him, especially his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Thelma (TJ) Polk, his son, Jim Bryant and his wife Mary, of Rogers, and their children Jeff Bryant, Scott Bryant, Kylie Whitehead and Jessica Thompson and their children, his daughter Teresa Roorda and her husband, Jon, of Buena Vista, Colo., his son Lynden Polk and his wife, Becky of Rogers, and their sons Jason and Chris, his daughter Jaime Polk and her husband Steve Van Ness and their children, Tara, Ethan, Gabriel & Michael, his stepson, Scott McCleland and his wife Linda and their children, Martin, Clarissa, Heather and Ben, his stepdaughter, Susan McCleland and her children Jonathan and Jordan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry & Lela Polk, his sister Reba Petillo, his brother James Polk, and his daughter Carla Gayle Polk.

Services for Norm will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Lowell with burial to follow at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers. Visitation will be Monday, June 13, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home Chapel in Rogers.

Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

 — Paid

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