Roy M. Johnson

1934 - 2021

Clarksville, Arkansas- The family and friends of Roy M. Johnson mourn his peaceful passing to be with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, on January 21, 2021 in Clarksville, Arkansas. Roy was born December 6, 1934 in Lubbock, Texas. It was in Lubbock as a young boy where Roy met the first love of his life, Nancy Jane Abernathy, and they later attended Lubbock High School together and were married for 55 years before her passing in 2007. After Nancy's passing, he married the second love of his life, Peggy Terrill Carta Johnson, and they were married for 11 years.

Roy's entrepreneurial spirit first surfaced at age 12 when he would climb the water tower in Abernathy, Texas to catch pigeons and sell them to other kids for 50 cents each. In his earlier years Roy wore many employment hats and always worked hard to provide for his young family. He also managed time for fun things too, like his love for driving fast cars. Sometimes he raced on an official racetrack, and he was also known all the way into his later years for zooming up and down the highways in places he thought he could avoid being detected by local law enforcement! Cars could only go so fast though, so Roy earned his pilots license in 1965 and collected almost 5,000 flight hours in several airplanes over his years in the left seat.

He loved cars and worked in the automobile industry in several areas - from auto parts stores to car dealerships, to starting his own business selling tools to auto mechanics at age 25. While working full time with Mac Tools & then Matco tools for almost 20 years, he was also a firefighter for the Lubbock Fire Department from 1960-1976.

In 1979 his career with Mac and Matco tools culminated as National Sales Manager in 1979-1980. The corporate life wasn't where Roy loved to be, so he once again set out in business with his own ideas and on his own terms. In 1980 he purchased Mid South Roller and grew it into an operation with two locations. After also adding the Best Western to the mix, there are close to 100 exemplary employees that Roy cared for and thought of as family. Roy excelled at growing a business, but he also excelled at growing the people with whom he worked. He had a big heart and was always willing to share - whether by simply offering a sincere word of encouragement, sharing some words of experience and wisdom, or sharing his resources. You always knew where you stood with Roy, but you always knew it through a respectful and classy exchange. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. A good person, and a great friend. A true man of honor. He was kind, generous and wise - and man of contemplation and intelligence. Others sought his counsel and knew him to be one who "held his lantern higher" for the benefit of others. During his lifetime Roy served his community in a multitude of ways: Serving on the Clarksville Airport Board, being a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary, Chairing the Trustees Committee at First United Methodist Church of Clarksville where he was a member, and serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of the Ozarks were a few of his favorites.

Roy leaves behind a family that loved and admired him greatly and they hope to uphold the example of faith and determination that he always modeled with a positive attitude. He was a loving husband, an encouraging father, and a Sweet Papa that was always proud of his grandchildren. The entire Johnson family will forever adore and remember Roy, and will stand taller and stronger knowing that the world traveler that led their family has now gone on to heaven - the one place left on his bucket list of destinations.

Roy is survived by his wife, Peggy of Clarksville, AR; daughter, Roylene and her husband, Max Slaughter, of Clarksville, AR; son, Michael Johnson and his wife Lisa of Knoxville, AR; daughter Penny and her husband Tim Wolters, of Keller, TX; daughter, Tracy and her husband, Mitchell Todd of Frisco, TX; grandchildren, Wayne, Shalane, Shelby, Cory, Parker, Marshall and Jackson; Great-grandchildren, Victoria, Caroline, Lily, Oliver, Finn,Thomas, Elin and Mark.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the administration and the employees of Johnson County Regional Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Roy's honor to:

First United Methodist Church of Clarksville Stained Glass Refurbishing Fund

PO Box 535 Clarksville, AR 72830

or to The University of the Ozarks Advancement Office

415 North College Ave. Clarksville, AR 72830.

Due to Covid restrictions, a graveside service was held for immediate family with Rev. David Hanshaw officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Roy's grandsons: Wayne Robertson, Shelby Wolters, Cory Wolters, Parker Todd, Marshall Todd, and Jackson Todd.