Dean Alan Cline

Dean Cline grew up in Little Rock and graduated from Hall High School in 1980.

After graduation he went to work full time with his Dad at Cordell’s gourmet food store and deli, or “the store”, as the family called it. Cordell’s wasn’t simply a job for Dean, it truly became his passion. He loved traveling to New York every year for a buying trip, discovering all the latest foods and specialty items he could bring back to Little Rock. He loved people and he loved to serve them well.

One night Dean met the love of his life and asked her to dance. That dance turned into a dinner date at Denny’s that lasted till four in the morning. Dean and Tina were married at the Blue Bell Chapel on Highway 62 and were blessed with 37 years of life, love, family and friendship.

Through the years Dean’s heart was always on display. He loved deeply. While he catered and fed some of Little Rock’s elite, he found joy feeding those less fortunate. Every Thanksgiving you could find him taking food to the homeless that lived under the bridge downtown by the railroad tracks. He didn’t just see people, he saw their need and met it any way he could.

When anyone thought of Cordell’s, they thought of Dean. He worked there for close to twenty five years, and was owner for the last six years until it closed its doors in 2004. Even though Cordell’s was no more, the recipes and Dean’s heart to serve continued. Every Christmas, Dean continued to personally prepare, serve and deliver Cordell’s signature roast beef, potato salad and chicken salad to lifelong customers and friends.

Following Cordell’s, Dean worked in food service and management at Brownings, Frankie’s, Catfish City, Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings and David’s Burgers. Most recently he enjoyed, like his Dad, driving cars for local dealerships.

The only thing that surpassed his love for food was his love for family. Dean loved creating an oasis in his backyard for his kids and grandkids to enjoy. He loved fishing. He had a side hustle of finding ferns in the woods and making yards beautiful. He truly had a gift of seeing and making something beautiful out of what others would toss aside.

His love for Razorback basketball was deep and most games were watched with his Dad. After his Dad passed this past June, games weren’t the same. Now we know they are once again cheering together.

Dean was a part of the South City Church family. He loved Jesus and he served for years in many ways and was and will continue to be an inspiration in the soon to be open ‘317 Coffee & Cafe’. Some of his final words to his little brother Drew were, “I know you’ll make me proud”.

Dean is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Tina, son TJ Hunt and Abby Brown of Little Rock, daughter Casey Cline, grandson Lawson, and granddaughter Savvy of Bryant; sister Donna and husband Ray of Maumelle, brother David and wife Shelly of Oklahoma City, brother Drew and wife Lori of Little Rock, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and dear friends.

Preceded in death by his mother, Patsy and father, Don and many loved ones gone before that we know met him with open arms.

A memorial service for Dean will be held Monday, October 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Pinecrest Funeral Home, 7401 HIGHWAY 5 N, ALEXANDER, AR 72002.