Jackie Merle “Jack” Pyle, 84, of Cabot, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

Born January 2, 1941, in Conway, Arkansas, to Norvel Vernon Pyle and Alvah Ivon Ott Pyle, Jack grew up surrounded by the quiet beauty of rural Arkansas. Those early years in Arkansas and his time at Imperial High School in Big Sandy, Texas helped shape the steady, thoughtful man he became.

In young adulthood, Jack’s life took him far beyond Arkansas when he attended Ambassador College in Bricket Wood, England, an experience that broadened his worldview and deepened his lifelong curiosity. His time there remained one of the most formative chapters of his early life.

Jack carried a deep appreciation for nature throughout his life. He was most at peace in the quiet of the outdoors, taking in early mornings, open fields, and the familiar landscapes of Arkansas. Jack treasured the time he spent outdoors hunting with his brothers, sons, grandsons, and nephews. Those early mornings together, sharing campfire stories, family traditions, and the stillness of the woods, were among his most cherished memories.

He was also a reflective thinker and lifelong writer, filling notebooks with questions, insights, and observations. Though he never considered himself a man with a formal motto, he once wrote that in facing life’s discouragements and obstacles he always tried to “manufacture positive optimism” and to look for the good that might yet come. Over time, that outlook only grew stronger. He often shared these thoughts with his children, encouraging them to find strength, purpose, and possibility even in difficult seasons. To his son Mike, he was a lifelong hero; to his daughter Debbie, he was a steady rock; and to his son Jack Scott, he was a trusted mentor.

Jack often reflected on the unexpected blessings woven throughout his life. When asked whether he ever felt lucky, he recalled a saying from his friend, Bob Owens: “You have to create your own luck.” Jack believed that, but he also felt an “unseen hand” guiding his life and the lives of those he loved; an abiding sense that God meets us in moments of discouragement and despair, offering help in ways we may not expect but must learn to recognize. “Yes, I feel lucky, very blessed,” he wrote. “Life has turned out beyond my dreams and beyond imagination.”

He once imagined an epitaph for himself: “I ran from nightmares and crashed into my dreams.” Jack gave God credit for every breath of life and every experience along the way, believing this life to be only the beginning of something greater.

Jack often said he felt deeply blessed by the life he lived. Throughout his years, he carried one enduring quest, a burning desire to know and understand God. He wrote that while God is ultimately beyond full comprehension, the search for His presence is a personal and profoundly meaningful journey. His advice to future generations was simple and sincere: make that quest your own. “It is the most rewarding pursuit a human being can undertake,” he wrote. “As you make your journey through life, these words will one day have significance for you.”

Jack and Ruthann shared 61 years of marriage marked by devotion, resilience, and a lifetime of shared adventure. They loved “fun in the sun,” traveling across the world during their years with TWA and American Airlines, often joking that airline families had their own personal jet. One of Ruthann’s favorite memories was the night she called Jack from St. Louis to say she was being sent to Paris and asked if he could come. She didn’t know if he would make it on the flight, but when she closed the cabin doors and began her walk-through, there he was. It became one of their most treasured stories, one they laughed about for years.

Jack was always, at his core, a family man. He often said that one of his greatest joys was watching his children and grandchildren grow across generations.

Throughout his life, Jack pursued several meaningful accomplishments. He worked in the insurance industry as an Independent Insurance Agent and later as a Commercial Lines Carrier rep for Farmers Insurance. After his retirement one of his proudest achievements was publishing his book, a reflection of his thoughtful nature and lifelong dedication to writing and journey to know God. He approached every role with diligence, curiosity, and a quiet determination that others admired. Those who worked with him remember not only his accomplishments, but the warmth behind them, his witty humor, steady presence, and quiet wisdom.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Norva Lee Kelly and Joe Dan Pyle.

He is survived by his adoring and beloved wife of 61 years, Ruthann Pyle, and by his children and grandchildren:

Debbie Pyle Owens and her husband, Chris

Grandchildren: Colton Owens; Kelsey and Max Strong

Jack Scott Pyle and his wife, Beth Ann

Grandchildren: Amanda & Jack Dresslar; Spencer and Rylee Pyle; Peyton Pyle & her fiancé Jason Carlos.

Mike Pyle and his wife, Dr. Colleen Pyle

Grandchildren: Jack Cameron and Tabitha Cameron; Jack Keiser and Daw; Joseph Keiser; James Keiser; Emma Keiser; and Joshua Keiser

Jack also leaves behind his treasured companion, their Yorkshire terrier, Button, who brought him comfort and joy each day.

He will be remembered for his gentle strength, his reflective mind, and the love he poured into his family. His legacy lives on in the stories he told, the traditions he passed down, and the lives he touched.

A memorial gathering will be held on a future date to be determined (early 2026).

Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.

Moore's Cabot Funeral Home
700 North Second St.
P.O. Box 1305
Cabot, AR 72023
501-843-5816;  501-843-2936