Jack Lee Royal Sr.

Dr. Jack Lee Royal, Sr., passed away on November 21, 2022 at the age of 84. Jack was born in Earle, Arkansas on February 10, 1938 to Joseph Bailey and Vera Rochelle Royal, and was raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi and Lonoke, Arkansas.

After graduating high school and Ouachita Baptist University each a year early, Jack was accepted to the University of Arkansas School of Medicine at the age of seventeen. He graduated from medical school in 1962. Because he was too young to practice in Arkansas, the state legislature passed an exception.

Jack and Dimple Burks Royal married the same year. He later served his country as a Captain and Post Surgeon in the United States Army, Medical Corps, in Ingrandes, France from 1963 to 1966. After returning to the States, Dr. Royal practiced family medicine in Hope, Arkansas, before completing a radiology residency in Little Rock. He served as head of the radiology department at Southern Clinic in Texarkana, Arkansas and later practiced with Radiology Consultants at Christus St. Michael Hospital.

In addition to his practice, Jack found time to teach Arkansas Area Health Education Center med students. Jack was active in his community through serving on boards, such as The Salvation Army and the United Methodist Church of Texarkana, Arkansas. Jack loved music, and throughout his life maintained membership in a choir, from elementary school to the United Methodist Church, where he could be found every Sunday, for decades.

His three children are all grateful for his love and dedication to teaching them important life lessons. Being a grandfather to his three grandchildren was perhaps the greatest joy of his life.

Dr. Royal is survived by Dimple Burks Royal, his wife of 60 years; his children Jennifer Lee Royal, Janice Royal Walsh and husband Gary Griffith Walsh, Jack Lee Royal, Jr.; grandchildren John “Jack” Griffith Walsh, Elizabeth Jane Walsh, and Virginia Elizabeth Beshears.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Hospice of Texarkana.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Texarkana, Arkansas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastfuneralhomes.com for the Royal family.