Obituaries

Carl Wendell Flemister Sr.

Photo of Carl Wendell Flemister Sr.
Carl Wendell Flemister Sr., age 85, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord, Friday, April 20, 2018. He was born August 16, 1932 in North Little Rock, Ark. He was the son of Solomon B. and Martha Richards Flemister. Carl was a member of Central Baptist Church of North Little Rock for over 25 years and joined Chenal Valley Baptist Church upon moving to Little Rock. Carl was a self-made man learning his sales skills at JC Penney's at the young age of 14. He was drafted in the Army in 1953. After discharge from the Army, he began his professional career in sales, and sold cars for Union Motors and other local dealerships. He then moved into the insurance business where he met the love of his life, Jeanette Conkin Flemister, while he was on a flight from Memphis to Kingsport, Tennessee. He was a founding partner of Modern Investors Life Insurance Company. Always looking to expand his business ventures he and a group of investors developed Swiss Villa, a resort and amphitheater, on Table Rock Lake in Lampe, Missouri. He had numerous restaurant ventures that included the Little Rock Ginning Company and he partnered with George Lindsey (Goober) to form George Lindsey's Steakhouses. He and his son, Carl Wendell Jr., began working together in 1988. The duo founded Apex Marketing, Inc. which grew from one office to five offices in four states with over 500 employees by the time they sold it to Fairfield Communities, Inc. Throughout his career there were ups and downs but he maintained his "PMA" which stood for Positive Mental Attitude. A concept which he preached to his children and grandchildren, and that always got him through. He truly believed that "whatever the mind can conceive, the body can achieve". His many successes in business were not what defined him, his true passion was his family and friends. He was a dedicated husband, a caring and loving father to his three children, he was always there for his grandchildren to whom he taught so much, and he created many lasting memories with his multitude of friends. No one ever missed a cookout with him at the grill because his ribs and filet mignons were truly top notch. Carl loved to host friends and family and was the life of the party. His family and friends shared many early mornings in the deer stand and late nights in the hunting club with him and it was never an issue if no deer were seen. He was satisfied being around the ones he loved. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette; his daughter, Pam Herget Boerner; son, Philip Flemister; 10 grandchildren, Ryan, Conor and Cole Herget; Alex and Blake Flemister; Kaitlyn, Christopher, Hunter, Hayden and Taylor Flemister; daughter in law Wanda Flemister; sister Frances Thornsberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Carl Wendell Flemister Jr.; his parents; his brothers, Clarence and Nick Flemister, sisters: Ruby McCraw and Celeste Pounders; and half-brother Bonnell Flemister. A visitation will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home on Landers Road in North Little Rock on Friday, April 27th from 1-3 p.m. with the funeral immediately following. He will be laid to rest at Rest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chenal Valley Baptist Church, 1800 Rahling Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72223 in memory of Carl Flemister or to a charity of your choice.

Published April 25, 2018

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