Derral Gene Ringgold

Derral Gene Ringgold passed away on March 3rd, 2026 at home after an extended illness. He was 72.

Derral was born August 17, 1953 in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Robert Lee and Ola Evelyn (Collins) Ringgold, the youngest of their three children. He attended Arkansas School for the Deaf from preschool through high school. He was a member of the Class of 1973. He was active in the Little Rock Association of the Deaf, the Arkansas Association of the Deaf, and the Southwest Association of the Deaf. He participated in bowling leagues, camping outings and softball teams. He sometimes played Santa at the Christmas parties of these groups.

Derral worked for a time with Southwestern Bell. He has been described by friends as a tease and prankster and some have said he had a grumpy side. Family members remember his sense of humor and presence at family reunions. He was a patient chess opponent and teacher and liked the occasional poker game or Yahtzee contest. A source of occasional joy and frequent frustration was the Dallas Cowboys. He was a talented painter and crocheted some, too.

Derral was also a cancer survivor, having had and beaten laryngeal cancer in 2004..

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Evelyn, and his brother Harold. He is survived by his sister and caregiver, Bertha Sims of North Little Rock, nieces Karen Engstrom (John) of Golden, Colorado, and Stacy Lindsey (Cliff) of Beebe, Arkansas; nephews Shane Ringgold (Amy) of Cabot, Arkansas and Mike Sims (Abby) of Bryant, Arkansas; and extended family and special deaf friends.

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