Robert Mathis Oliphant

Robert Mathis Oliphant, 89, died at home in Bryant, Arkansas on Wednesday, August 12, 2015. He was born on February 26, 1926 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Barnwell Rhett and Beryle Oliphant. He served in the U.S. Army's 8th Infantry Division during WWII, and earned two Bronze Service Stars for his participation in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, he immediately joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He served for three years while earning his B.S.E. from Arkansas State Teacher's College in Conway on the GI Bill. He began his 42 year teaching career at Clarendon High School, followed by Thornton and Wynn High Schools before moving to Bryant High School as a social studies teacher. While teaching he continued his education during the summers earning a M.A. in Secondary Education from the George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. He was promoted to principal at Bryant High School in 1955 and served there for 28 years. In 1983 he left to become Assistant Superintendent – Curriculum for Bryant Schools serving until his retirement in 1991. Robert was an accomplished gardener, and enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, collecting U.S. coins, U.S. Stamps and spoiling his grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Charles, Thomas and Margie, and his wife of 53 years, Flo. He is survived by his brother B.R. Oliphant of Stuttgart, his children Arrah Jones of Benton (Ronny), Alex Oliphant of Memphis (Suzanne) and John Oliphant of Bentonville (Sondra), and his grandchildren: Caitlin and Amanda Jones, Jessica Bryan, Alanna and Michael Oliphant, Allison and Carson Oliphant as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, with Funeral Services on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Legion or to Baptist Hospice. Please sign our on-line guest book at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.