Biography: Eric Coleman Gillette (44) was born December 26, 1978, in Washington D.C., to Martha and Warren Gillette. He served his country proudly and accomplished a lot in his life.  Eric grew up in Boulder, Colorado, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Scottsdale, Arizona.  After four years in the Navy, aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, he earned his engineering degree at Arizona State University in materials science, followed by jobs in New York, Texas, and Arkansas.  He was a worldwide traveler, musician, and extraordinarily fine artist, able to capture the heart and spirit of a person or landscape.  His sweet and sensitive soul felt all the hurt and loss in the world, and in his life, too keenly, and after a long period of illness and searching for the light, he passed away April 4, 2023, in Little Rock.

He leaves behind his loving and very beloved family – mother Martha Morton, father Warren Gillette (Paula); siblings Mary Laura Gillette Bielawski (Marcin), David Morton Gillette (Shannon) and children Brady, Hudson, and Ethan, and stepbrother Grayson Wedel and his mother Dawn Wedel; uncles Asa (Counts), David (Mary), and Lacey Morton, and Owen Gillette; cousins Mary Elizabeth Morton Smith (Alan) and children Devin (Kyrston) and Asa; Giles Reynolds, Laura Tague and children Caroline, Lauren, and Hannah; Amy Gillette and Owen.

Thanks so much, Eric, for the great times and belly laughs we shared together, the runs to Haagen-Das and Dairy Queen, travels around Japan, horseback riding, camping trips in Rocky Mountain National Park, hikes up Mt. Fuji, walks in the Arkansas State Arboretum, visits to the Arkansas Arts Center and Crystal Bridges, and all the other wonderful things we did together.  Thanks for your vision, compassion, goodness, mercy, helping hand, creativity, and mostly for your love.

His earthly journey is over and he has reached his destination in Heaven.  Our precious son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend is free at last.  He has come out of the darkness and soared into the Light and can feel all our love for him now.  He has found joy and love and peace everlasting.  His presence comforts us.  He is loved so much and will be with us forever.  We are going to shine for you, Eric, and we will all be together again. Xoxo

Donations may be made to Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Arts Center, Wounded Warrior Project.

A visitation/viewing will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 11 a.m.  The funeral will follow at 12 p.m. in the Chapel.  Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com