James Phillip Faulkner

James Phillip "Phil" Faulkner, 55, of Little Rock, died unexpectedly Monday, July 9, 2012, while on a Boy Scout trip with his son in the Florida Keys. Phil is survived by his wife and friend of 17 years, Sue Rogers Faulkner; one son, Christopher James Faulkner (15); his parents, Jim and Joyce Faulkner, and Catherine and Jim Kennedy; sisters, Brianne (Brian) Bush, Lisa (Randy) Breau, all of Little Rock; Amy (Greg) Parker of Fayetteville and BeeGee (David) Hunt of Springdale; brothers, Zan Davis of Little Rock and Jim Kennedy Jr. of San Francisco, Calif.; father-in-law, Jewel Rogers; brother-in-law, Gordon (Dana) Rogers; sister-in-law, Rhonda (Jimmy) Reynolds, all of Camden; sister-in-law, Julie Angel of Shreveport, La.; as well as 22 nieces and nephews and countless friends. Phil was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Janive Rogers; and grandparents, Helen Hensley and James Herschel Faulkner of Malvern, and Elaine and Herbert Cox of Fulton. Phil attended Pine Bluff High School where he was a photographer on the yearbook staff and loved sharing those memories. He attended the University of Arkansas and was a lifelong Razorback fan along with his father. After college, Phil enjoyed a variety of work experiences but truly excelled in the restaurant business, owning and operating franchises for Baskin Robbins, Frullati Café and Heavenly Ham. Most recently he was the proud owner of Phil's Place Restaurant in the Market Place Shopping Center. Phil was a member of St. James United Methodist Church and assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 604. As one who loved being on or around the water, Phil spent many memorable weekends with his family on Lake Catherine. Phil will be remembered most for the passion with which he embraced life. Never meeting a stranger and with an amazing gift for seeing the best in everyone and everything, Phil was quick to share his gifts of hospitality, positivity and exuberance for life with every person he encountered. He was a man that God used to make the world a better and brighter place. Phil reflected the values of character and kindness in his every action, and his infectious laugh and quick wit were uniquely his own. Phil lived and loved large. Forever the optimist, he truly was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and uncle, and he will be greatly missed by those who were blessed to travel this journey with him. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the members of Scout Troop 604 for the bravery they displayed on their adventure to Sea Base, Fla., and the outpouring of kindness by this remarkable group of young men and their leaders. Visitation was held Thursday, July 12, at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Road). A celebration of Phil's life will be held Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, followed by interment at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander. Memorials may be made to Boy Scout Troop 604, c/o Michael Marion, Committee Chair, 16 Waterbury Ct., Little Rock, AR 72223; and St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Phil's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.