As a husband, father, son, and friend, he left behind a pair of size 8 ½ EEE cowboy boots that no one can ever fill. Royce married his high school sweetheart Melba in 1975; he loved holding her hand and always opened her door for her. He was the best dad anyone ever had, from the moment he delivered his daughter in 1986. He retired from BP as a chemical process operator in 2000. Before that, he worked for 14 years at Simpson paper as a papermaker and co-captain of the fire and rescue team. He worked hard all his life, fought chemical fires, performed high-angle rescues, and never backed down from anything.
Royce was deeply proud of his community but remained a true Texan at heart. He was a member of the Old Fort Gun Club, a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Sealand, and a former member of Civil Air Patrol and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He loved firearms, history, motorcycles, NASCAR, and his green ’95 Chevy pickup.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 44 years, Melba Smith of Lavaca; daughter, Kiona Smith of Tulsa; and mother, Leora Robberson of Fort Smith. He is preceded by his step father, Dave Robberson.
Private family service will be under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He always said that a man never stands taller than when he kneels to pray or stoops to help a child. With that in mind, his family asks anyone who wants to honor his memory to make a donation to Bikers Against Child Abuse (https://arkansas.bacaworld.org/arkansas/arkansas-chapters/river-valley/).
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
