Richard Allen Royal

Richard Allen Royal, age 70, of Prairie Grove, Ark., died on May 27, 2022, at The Arkansas State Veterans Home at Fayetteville in Fayetteville, Ark. Richard was born on February 13, 1952, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Thomas Allen Royal and Dorothy Mae (Potts) Royal. =Upon graduation from Del Campo High School, Richard shortly thereafter joined the United States Coast Guard. He met Rita "Susie" Davis and after knowing each other for two weeks, they married on October 24, 1976, in Lake Tahoe, Calif. After a lengthy battle with melanoma, and an honorable medical discharge, Richard and Susie settled in Mountain Home, Ark., in 1989. Richard began pursuing higher education degrees, and graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and then the University of Arkansas with a master's degree in Rehab Counseling, after relocating to Fayetteville, Ark., with his family. Richard served as executive director for multiple non-profit organizations in northwest Arkansas. His life was built around advocating for others, especially those with disabilities. He had a servant's heart. He had a passion for reading, fishing, cooking, and woodworking. He was well-known for his ability to tell stories. Richard's most treasured time was shared with his seven grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Rita "Susie" Royal; parents, Thomas A. Royal and Dorothy M. Royal; and his brother, Thomas R. Royal. He is survived by his daughters, Ashley Royal-Grise and husband, Richard, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., and Meghan Shelton and husband, Mark, of Farmington, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Noah Grise, Simon Grise, Corbin Shelton, Grayson Shelton, Addison Shelton, Hudson Shelton, and Holden Shelton; and brother, Larry Royal of Rogers, Ark. Memorial services will be Wednesday, June 8th at 10 a.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Special Olympics Arkansas at http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/ To leave online condolences, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.