Eugene A. Lockwood
LITTLE ROCK — Eugene A. Lockwood, 91, of Little Rock, passed away Aug. 11, 2015.
Gene was born on Nov. 20, 1923, in Hot Springs, to the late Dave and Flora Meyer Lockwood. He was the grandson of the late Rosa and Simon Meyer, also of Hot Springs.
Gene was a combat veteran having fought in the European Theater of Operation under Gen. Patton. After his military service, Gene returned to Hot Springs. On June 16, 1946, Gene married Norma Jean Rephan, also from Hot Springs. They enjoyed a 65- year storybook marriage until Norma Jean’s death in 2011.
Norma Jean and Gene moved to Little Rock in 1955 where Gene owned and operated the sporting goods department within Pfeifer’s Department Stores. That business continued through Pfeifer’s acquisition of Blass Department Stores and Dillard’s acquisition of Pfeifer-Blass. In 1976, Gene struck out on his own opening Gene Lockwood’s Sportsmart which went on to become one of the leading retailers of sporting goods and apparel in the state. Today, Gene Lockwood’s Sports continues to operate stores in Little Rock and Hot Springs. Gene was also one of the first members of the National Buying Syndicate which today is Nations Best Sports, the nation’s largest sporting goods buying syndicate.
Gene combined his love of business with a love of fishing, golf, tennis, bridge, horse racing and fried chicken. Gene loved a good time.
In addition to his wife, Gene was predeceased by his son, Jody Lockwood, his siblings, Helen Lockwood Eichenbaum, Saul Lockwood, Harold Lockwood and Bernice Lockwood Goltz. He is survived by his daughter, Dana Lockwood, of Sedona, Ariz., his sister, Madeline Lockwood Brown, of Miami, Fla., and numerous nieces and nephews, including Peggy Eichenbaum Jalenak, Susan Goltz Siegel, Diane Goltz, Kerry Lockwood- Owen, Monica Mannis, Jerry Rephan, Sydney Rephan and Ellen Rephan. Gene is also survived by his friend and business partner of 33 years, Marty Ward, Marty’s wife, Kim, their sons, Cody and Tyler, and Cody’s fiancé Taylor, who Gene affectionately referred to as his surrogate family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Friday, Aug, 14, at Temple B’nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society, 14600 Col. Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, http://www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.