of Lafe, AR
May 9, 1953 - November 8, 2016
Rusty Bickerstaff, 63, of Lafe, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born May 9, 1953 in Hughes, AR. Rusty was a retired aircraft and Caterpillar mechanic. He was of the Baptist belief and a born-again believer in Christ. He served in the U.S. Air Force and loved fishing, woodworking and hunting.
Rusty is preceded in death by his mother, Lois Wilson Bickerstaff.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Butler Bickerstaff; his father, Russell Bickerstaff, Sr.; a brother, Larry Bickerstaff; and two sisters, Beverly Smith and Phyllis Bickerstaff.
A memorial service will be held 1 pm Friday, November 18, 2016 at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
My heart felt condolences. Thinking of you Jay.
Rusty was an amazing person and I am thankful I had the privilege of knowing him. My fondest memories of him involve him teaching me something. He was always very patient with me. I remember him (almost) teaching me how to drive a manual and he never got impatient during the many times I stalled his jeep. When we were driving to California with my car hitched to the back of his truck, he was the one who kept me calm as I drove up the way to Hoover Dam. And now, every time I look at the wooden "knocker" he made me that I keep in my car, I'll have those memories to make me smile. Love you forever Rusty.
So sorry you had to leave us so so soon! You were a very kind,generous,quiet loving guy who was loved a lot!! Fly High Rusty!!
So sorry you had to leave us so so soon! You were a very kind,generous,quiet loving guy who was loved a lot!! Fly High Rusty!!
I will forever remember Rusty as kind, easy going and always smiling. We couldn't ask for better neighbors to settle into the hills of Knob. The friendship and kindness extended to our family shows what a caring man Rusty was. You will be missed.
I'm glad my niece chose you to spend her life with, a kind and thoughtful man. we will be here to support and comfort her. Love you and her so much. You Will be greatly missed.
So sorry for you loss. Sending love and prayers at this difficult time. May you find comfort in the many wonderful memories you have shared.
Love you,
Cheryl Park
Thinking of you and praying for the family. You have such wonderful memories to cherish. Loved the memorial video.
Love you Sunshine.
Jay and Family. No words to say how my heart hurts for all of you. I am praying for peace and comfort for each of you now and always. Rusty's smile and laughter will be with us forever.
Jay thank you for never giving up on us.
Dear Janice, my heart goes out to you at loss of Rusty. He was a
quiet, friendly, hardworking man and he will be missed by many.
Prayers for you and your families. Love you.
We share the same birth month, May, born a Taurus, with traits of being stubborn, but trustworthy, loyal to a fault, and the best friend anyone could want (and could probably be a worst enemy?) I'm glad my niece picked you to spend her life with. You will be greatly missed. I know you'll be watching over Janice and Know we are here for her also. Love, Auntie J
Janice I am so sorry for your loss. Rusty was a great friend and neighbor. Always willing to help . He will be missed.
Uncle Rusty was the coolest uncle. He would let me help him drive his tractor around, he let me "drive" his old jeep without doors (he had to do the gear shifting. We also got stuck in the mud a few times😄), and he would always tell stories about his travels while listening to some popular music. He was the best uncle anyone could ask for. He will forever be loved and missed.
Janice, I have been praying for Rusty and you. I only got to meet him one time. I know I would have liked him, from reading all the good things people have been saying about him. I know I sure am glad I got to meet you and become your friend. Still praying for you and the rest of the family. Love you....
Janice I am so sorry for your loss of the love of your life. I didn't know Rusty personally but I know he was a wonderful man. May God bring you peace and comfort through this difficult time.
Janice, I am so sorry for your loss. I would have liked to have met Rusty.May God give you and your family strength at this time. May you Rest in Peace Rusty.
Rusty, we share the same birth month, May. So I liked you from the beginning. We, born a Taurus, have traits of being stubborn, but trustworthy, loyal to a fault, and make one of the best friends anyone could want. (And maybe one of the worst enemies. Ha) I'm glad my niece picked you to spend her life with. I know how hard life is for her right now, our family love her and you, and will be there for her when she needs us. I know you'll watch over her as well. Rest in peace, my nephew. Love you
Mike and I will forever remember our amazing trip to Mexico with Rusty and jay...
Rusty was our hero when he removed the tarantula from our bungalow!!!
Kind quiet and generous!!
May you rest in eternal peace... love Mike And Bernadette Woods
So sorry for your loss Jan. We send our heartfelt condolences to you and the rest of Rusty's family. Praying for comfort and strength during this most difficult time.
God bless you,
Dave and Vivian Quichocho
Janice, Jim and I are so sad to hear of Rusty's passing. We have many happy memories of the lovely visit Jim and I had at your home in 2011. I will always remember our many Alaskan adventures! Rest in Peace, Rusty!
The three of us have such fond memories of you. Every time we'll think of you it will bring a smile to our faces. We know you'll never have to worry again about something not loaded quite right! RIP
Uncle Rusty,
Every characteristic a person could want in an Uncle, you have. You're funny and and always knew how to make people laugh, you're hardworking always mowing or building something new or fixing something that was broken. You are always fun to be around, from the horseback riding to pulling ticks off of me to the swimming to the fishing and to dancing and singing the song Poker Face haha. There are so many memories that I will always hold on to, and you're what made those memories worth holding on to. You will always be dearly loved and missed. Thanks for being the best Uncle I could ask for. I love you so much.
You were the kind of man who walked a horse around outside in the extreme heat and Arkansas humidity so that your nieces could ride. You put up with us "helping" you with your tasks and chores around outside and taught us as you went. You livened up christmases and family gatherings with stories and jokes. I will think of you every time I watch The Polar Express, because You sang the "hot chocolate" song every time we watched the movie and made us laugh.
That's the kind of man you were. The kind of man that will be very missed. And always loved.
Dear Janice,
Wishing you strength and always remember that I care.
May his eternal life in Heaven give you comfort.
With Love,
Rosa, Alia, Talal and Omar
My prayer are with u Janice and his family. God give u peace
I will miss my neighbor friend he was always there when I needed to be pulled out of a mud hole, he graded my drive without being asked. Rusty was a great guy and felt like family.
I pray for the family and friends comfort.
My heart is broken. I miss you already. I love you my sweet husband of 44 years.