David R. Michael Sr.

David Roland Michael Sr., 80, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at home. He was born July 15, 1935 in Pine Bluff, son of Edward Joseph and Blanche Lee Carr Michael. Mr. Michael was reared and received his early education in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. David Michael married Patricia James August 13, 1955 in Greenville, Mississippi. Mr. Michael attended Watson Chapel Baptist Church in recent years. Mr. Michael opened Michael Motor Company in about 1968 in Pine Bluff. He owned and operated Michael Motor Company for over 47 years until his death. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two brothers, Edward Joseph Michael and Wendell Claud Michael; and sister, Mary Nell Pope. Survivors include his son, David R. Michael Jr. and his wife, Kay, of Little Rock; daughters, Jamie Lynne Murphy of Little Rock and Sandra Lee Bitely and her husband, Mark, of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Margaret Hancock of Sheridan, Delores DeMaine and her husband, Oscar, of Pine Bluff, Gloria Daniel and her husband, Billy Pat, of Dumas, Blanche Garner and her husband, Bobby, of Pine Bluff and Charlene Ferguson and her husband, Jerry, of Bentonville; and five wonderful grandchildren, Mallory Ann Blue and her husband, Adam, of Prairie Village, Kansas, Colton Michael Bitely of Little Rock, Steven Murphy of Little Rock, Sarah Michael and Jacob Michael, both of Little Rock. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2016 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend Todd Howard and Dr. David Moore officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Friday afternoon from 1 p.m. until service time at Robinson's. Pallbearers will be Colton Bitely, Steven Murphy, Jacob Michael, Mark Bitely and Adam Blue. Memorials may be made to Watson Chapel Baptist Church, 5514 Pinnacle Lane, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or American Heart Association, 909 West 2nd Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.