James Ray Royal

Jim departed this life on February 26, 2026 at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas after struggling with health issues. Jim’s life was well lived, and he leaves an exemplary legacy.

Jim was born November 10, 1938 in a house not far from his current home north of Evening Shade, Arkansas to Joseph Delzo & Verdia Barnett Royal. He was a lifelong member of the Main Street Church of Christ at Evening Shade. With few exceptions he lived near Evening Shade all his life. James worked in various capacities of the lumber business: a sawyer, trim carpenter, woodworker of fine quality items, and a pipe fitter before retirement.

Those left to share James’s memories include his wife of 66 years, Eva; a son, Kenneth (Kelley) Royal of Russellville, AR and their daughters, Kristen (James) Simmons of Ozark, AR and Natalie (Jean) Suazo of Ruskin, FL; two daughters, Julie (Jimmy) Stroud of Hector, AR and their sons, Joshua (Kelsey) Stroud and Jayme (Jahalah) Stroud, and Kathleen (Scott) Phillips of Gardendale, AL and their children, Eva Corinne (John) Ellis of Daphne, AL and Grayson (Alley) Phillips of Morris, AL; one sister, Kay Rodgers (Aubrey) of Fort Smith, AR; eight great-grandchildren: Jordan Ray and Kendall Jane Stroud, Erin Tyne and Evelyn Adair Simmons, Mylee Marie and Bryce Renee Ellis, Manoah Beth and Junia Cozette Suazo; many other relatives and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, David Michael; his parents; fraternal grandparents, Joseph Gardner & Louisa Jane McGuire Royal; maternal grandparents, Daniel Ephraim & Cyndie Barns Barnett; two brothers, Charles Curtis Royal & Malvern Leon Royal.

Visitation of family and friends will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2026 in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy. 62/412, Highland, AR. 

Funeral services will be Monday, March 2 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Street Church of Christ in Evening Shade. Preaching will be by Randy Cavender with congregational singing.  Burial will follow in Evening Shade/Sharp Cemetery.