Obituaries

Major Bobby 'Bob' R. Roughton

Photo of Major Bobby 'Bob' R. Roughton
Major Bobby "Bob" R. Roughton, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 77, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. He was born on July 29, 1935. "Grandpa Duck" a.k.a. "Papa Duck" is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kay Roughton of Bella Vista, Ark.; seven children, Julie Murphree of Atlanta, Ga., Laurie Roughton of Tallahassee, Fla., Patrick Murray and wife, Anita, of Castle Rock, Colo., MSgt. Joel Murray USAF (Ret.) and wife, Sheila, of Charleston, S.C., Jodi Pinter and husband, Stephen, of Kemmerer, Wyo., LTC Larry Murray Jr. U.S. Army (Ret.) and wife, Carrie, of Columbia, S.C., Lori Murray of Farmington, Minn.; three brothers, Ernest Roughton and wife, Johnnie, of Gainesville, Fla., James Roughton and wife, Edith, of Panama City, Fla., Tony Roughton and wife, Evelyn, of Indianola, Miss.; twin sister, Betty Williams of Panama City, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Kasey Bryant, Danielle Pinter, Grant Murray, Mary Kay Murray, Connor Murray, Elizabeth Murray, T.J. Murray, Amanda Pinter, Stephanie Pinter, Austin Murray, Michael Murray. Bobby was born in Inverness, Ala., to Ernest and Willie Roughton. He spent his young adult life in Panama City, Fla. In 1952, as a senior in high school, his National Guard Unit was shipping out. He wanted to go with them. He dropped out of school in January and joined the Army and served for 20 years. He was a Master paratrooper, marksman, exchange officer, and he was actively involved in many special assignments. Bob's service to his country included assignments U.S. Stateside, Germany, Lebanon, Korea, Vietnam and the Bay of Pigs during the Cuban Missile crisis. Bob retired from the Army as a Commissioned Officer with a GED and a college bachelor's degree in business. Bob was a visionary and had an entrepreneur spirit. He had several business adventures that allowed him to work and live in several states. Becoming a micro computer specialist enabled him to be a part of the advancing high-tech world. Health issues resulted in a second retirement for him. An avid reader, college football fan and an O'Reilly follower, he enjoyed sharing his opinion of current events and political issues. He always thought beyond the obvious and open one's thinking to new and different possibilities. For his entire life, Bob possessed a contagious smile that always drew people closer to him. His biggest joy was spending time with family — never wanting the spotlight — but wanting to shine it on others. It is Bob's wishes that he be laid to rest in Inverness, Ala. A private memorial will be held in his home, which will be followed by an Honor Guard ceremony to be conducted in his place of rest in late January. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests memorial contributions to be offered to The Wounded Warriors (woundedwarriorproject.org) or the Circle of Life Hospice. This would honor Bob's memory and his wishes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.funeralmation.com.

Published December 30, 2012

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