Biography:

Philip James Deer, Jr., known to friends and family as Jim, 92, of Little Rock died peacefully in his sleep at his home March 15, 2026.   Jim was born September 27, 1933, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Philip James Deer, Sr. and Pearl Dial Deer.  He attended primary school in Whitton, Arkansas, and graduated from Wilson High School in 1951.  He attended Hendrix College with the help of the Lee Wilson Scholarship and graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis in 1957.  Jim met his wife, Florence Ross Deer, at Hendrix College.  They married in 1955 and spent 65 wonderful years together until Flo’s death in 2020.  

After serving in the Navy for two years, Jim completed his ophthalmology residency in Memphis.  He joined Raymond Cook’s ophthalmology practice in downtown Little Rock in 1964.  He formed Deer Eye Clinic on West Markham in 1978.  His son joined him in his practice in 1988. They worked together for 30 years until Jim retired at 84 years old after practicing medicine for 54 years. Jim loved practicing ophthalmology and especially enjoyed getting to know his patients and sharing stories.  He was a great storyteller and could keep anyone entertained.

Jim enjoyed sports, starting with high school basketball in Wilson.  He played a lot of tennis in his younger days and switched to golf when his knees started complaining too much.  He was also a life-long puzzler.  He and his wife Flo worked on the crosswords and played a lot of cribbage together.  After he discovered the New York Times games, he daily worked through Wordle, Connections, Strands and especially the Spelling Bee, in which he possessed an uncanny ability to find the pangrams.   His children loved puzzling with him because he couldn’t resist helping them when he had answers they hadn’t discovered yet.  

Jim and Flo traveled extensively both by themselves and with good friends.  He said he loved going on any trip his wife planned and while he always had a good time, he said coming home was the best part of the trip. Special trips included Christmas in London, Christmastime trips with the grandchildren to New York, and the annual Deer trip to Bentonville with Flo and their three children for a fun weekend of visiting and relaxing. 

Jim had a life-long sense of curiosity, wonder, and love of learning.  He served on the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College for 12 years.  In honor of his and Flo’s 50^th anniversary, their children created The Jim and Flo Deer Endowed Scholarship, which he continued to generously fund throughout his life.  He loved to read, and the family appreciates his “book man”, Paul Fiser, for keeping him supplied with great reads for many years.  He was also proud of the fact that he was the first Lifetime member of the History Institute at UALR.  He always enjoyed attending lectures and especially enjoyed the speakers (as well as the cookies).

The family wishes to thank Dr. Joe Pevahouse for the wonderful care and assistance through their 44 years of friendship.  We also thank Reverend Donna Hankins for her years of support and friendship for Jim and Flo. 

In addition to his wife Flo, Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Polly Deer Goatcher.  He is survived by his three children, Jim Deer (Lynda), Ross Deer (Stephanie), and Sloan Powell (Danny); eight grandchildren: Philip Deer (Erin),  Emily Deer, Paul Deer, Elizabeth Deer, Bryn Deer, Brady Deer, Robbie Powell (Chelsea), and Gigi Powell; and one great grandchild Margaret Lyn Deer.

His family and friends will miss his stories, his mischievous sense of humor, as well as his help with all the puzzles.  He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, The Jim and Flo Deer Endowed Scholarship at Hendrix College, or to the charity of your choice.  

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 11 at Ruebel Funeral Home at 1:00, followed by a memorial service at 2:00.