Royce Edward Outlaw

Royce Edward Outlaw, 76, of Crossett, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at his home.  He was born in Vick, Arkansas on March 16, 1942, to his parents, Marvin, and Martille Chandler Outlaw.  He graduated from Hermitage High School and married his sweetheart, Dorothy Rose Baker in 1963.  For 20 years, he worked for Georgia Pacific as a Lab Technician in the particle board mill until its closure and then 6 years as a security officer.  In 1994, after suffering from a heart attack, Royce underwent a heart transplant.  After much therapy, he recovered with a new lease on life.  Royce became the second longest transplant survivor in Arkansas and ranked in the top 10% worldwide.  He was a member of the South Main Baptist Church and former member and Sunday School teacher at Meridian Baptist Church.  He loved to work in his garden, hunt, fish, and spend time with his grandchildren who called him “Papa” except for a sweet little one who affectionately called him “Pop-tart”.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Martiel Outlaw, and parents, Marvin and Bill Outlaw; and his baby sister, Janice Marlow.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Outlaw, of Crossett; one son, Randall Outlaw and wife, Dana, of Crossett; one daughter, Shelley Gray and husband, Chris, of Waxahachie, TX; one brother, Waylon Outlaw of Crossett; three sisters, Joyce Vickers and husband, Dan, of Hermitage, Ruth Huitt of Warren, and Mary Agnes Light of Russellville; nine grandchildren, Dylan, Matt, and Josh Outlaw, Lauren Stone, Hagen and Kirsten Thurman, Carrissa and Kristina Gray, and Raina Wilson; two great-grandchildren, Zayden Gray, and Chloie Wakeland; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 14th, at Medders Funeral Home Chapel, 1564 Hwy 52 W, Crossett, with Bro. Lyle Hern officiating, followed by an interment at Union Hill Cemetery in Ingalls, Arkansas.  Pallbearers are Royce Swaim, Ricky Williams, Hunter Vickers, Nick Miller, Bill Runyan, and Danny Jordan.  Honorary pallbearers are David Riles, Herman White, Clay Vickers, Dan Vickers, and Joe Eubanks.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12th, at Medders Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gideons or the South Main Baptist Church Youth Group.

A special thank you to the Baptist Hospital Transplant Team, Dr. Steven Hutchins, and Dr. John Ransom; Hospice Homecare; Dr. Andy Gresham; and the transplant family Jerry and Karen Reed and their son, Scott Reed.

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