Roy A. Roe, Jr.
Roy A. Roe, Jr. (Curly) died April 17, at Acosta Rua Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Fla. He was born May 1, 1945, in Gassville, Ark., to Roy A. and Wanda Finley Roe.
His grandparents were Dr. and Mrs. C.E. Roe of Viola and Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Finley of Norfork.
He graduated from Yellville Summit High School where he was a letterman on the Class B State Championship basketball team and editor of the yearbook.
He attended UCA where he was a member of Phi Lambda Chi. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a BS in biology and joined the Russellville Collegiate Sky Divers and continued skydiving and training skydivers the rest of his life in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
He enlisted in the Army, graduated from OCS and served his country in Vietnam as a 1st Lt. supervising a mobile advisory team. He was airborne-qualified in the Army Jumpmaster School. He received the Bronze Star for Valor.
He did graduate work at the U of A, earning a master of science degree in entomology. His doctoral work was done at the University of Florida.
He taught in the Gentry and Bentonville school systems and later became a professional sky diver and master rigger and examiner. He was credited with several lives saved due to his rigging techniques. He was most proud of never losing a student. He was featured on “Wild World of Sports” and was a licensed private pilot.
Survivors include a daughter, Crystal, and husband Derek Craig of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; a grandson, Conner Craig, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; his mother, Wanda Roe of Pea Ridge; a sister, Ramona of Little Rock; and a host of cousins and friends.
A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, April 22 on the beach in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Memorials may be made to an area hospice or favorite charity.