FLOYD PHILLIP “PHIL” DELONEY

was born in Minden, La., on February 12, 1947, to Len Thomas and Floy Belle Philips Deloney. His only sibling was his brother, Tommy, who was six years old er, but he was raised with his cousin, John Watson, and they were as close as brothers all their lives.

His earliest years were spent in Minden and Jackson, Miss. In 1957, his family settled in southwest Houston. Phil was an original latchkey kid who sacked groceries, threw newspapers, went on sales calls with his father, had a motor scooter, surfed in Galveston, took road trips to west Texas and Mexico, raised FFA chickens and sheep in his garage, and played in a band, The Undertakers, who transported themselves to their gigs in an old hearse.

A 1965 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, he attended Wharton County Junior College, then Sam Houston State College, and finally the University of Arkansas Fayetteville where he met Linda Lusk. They married in 1968. After graduating in the class of 1972, he was immediately drafted into the Army and served for two years as a Chaplain’s Assistant at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Following his discharge from the Army, he and Linda chose Little Rock as the place to raise their boys, Jeff and Brian. They purchased a house on Crystal Court in Hillcrest, where they made lifelong friends and enjoyed an idyllic life.

In 1976, after falling out of a tree and breaking his hip, he decided the neighborhood should organize a bicentennial 4th of July celebration. He hobbled around the neighborhood on crutches, convincing neighbors that a street party with food, games, a parade and fire trucks would be the thing to do. That celebration was such a success it continues to this day.

Phil was also known for his Halloween antics. After he acquired a coffin that had been abandoned by Little Rock activist Robert “Say” McIntosh after a protest, it featured prominently in trick-or-treating at 215 Crystal Court. Phil scared the kids and Linda recycled their candy, and crowds grew exponentially each year.

Active in state and community affairs, Phil was a Greater Little Rock Leadership VI fellow, a founding member of the Forest Park Dad’s Club, and a 30year member of the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, where he served on the Pfeifer Camp Activities Board and Finance Committee for many years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and drove a van for 30 years. He was also a Master Gardener.

Phil had two career paths, banking and medical management. Professionally he served as President of Arkansas Medical Group Managers Association, State Director of the Institute for Financial Education, and a member of BONES - A National Society of Orthopedic Administrators.

At the end of 2012, Phil retired from the workforce and found his tribe at Rebsamen Golf Course when he joined “the clusters.” He particularly enjoyed serving as their Executive Secretary for many years, as well as a staunch advocate for the golf course. City Board members will miss his emails on behalf of the course. It didn’t matter if you were a server, bartender, or the clerk in a store, Phil wanted to talk to you, laugh with you, and often pay you a genuine compliment.

He died September 21, 2023 after suffering a stroke while on vacation in Bay St. Louis, Miss., his happiest place on earth. He was 76.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Len Thomas Deloney Jr.; and his oldest son, Jeff.

He is survived by Linda, his wife of 55 years; son, Brian (Angela), grandchildren, Austin and Madelyn Deloney; niece, Sheri Deloney; nephew, Tom Deloney; great-nieces, Kaylen and Alyssa; nephew, Len Thomas Deloney III; and aunt, Pauline Phillips Tabor.

A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at First United Methodist Church Little Rock at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Tee Little Rock, 1 First Tee Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, or First United Methodist Church Little Rock, 723 Center St., Little Rock, Ark. 72201. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com