Joseph Ray "JR" Spoon

Joseph Ray "JR" Spoon Jr., of North Little Rock, boarded the railway to heaven on January 25, 2011, at his son's home in Cleburne, Texas. He was born on November 28, 1916, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Joseph Ray Spoon Sr. and Irene Helton Spoon who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 73 years Amy Fay Morgan Spoon, sisters, Erma Spoon Finlayson and Evelyn Spoon Grasser, as well as brothers, Frank Spoon, Jack Spoon, and Tom Spoon. JR is survived by daughter, Rebecca Rogers and husband, Chip of Vilonia, Arkansas and son, Joe R. "Scooter" Spoon and wife, Suzanne of Cleburne, Texas. He was also survived by grandchildren Amy Carter, and husband, Brent, of Forrest City, Arkansas, Ellie Matthews, and husband, Mark, of Conway, Arkansas, Stuart Spoon, and wife, Julia, of Arlington, Texas, Susannah Spoon of Little Rock, Arkansas, and great-grandson, Tyler Thurman of Conway, Arkansas. He is also survived by caregiver, Paula Waller, nurse, Amy Skelton, and many friends at American Hospice in Cleburne, Texas. JR graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1934. He was a veteran who served in the United States Army as a locomotive engineer in Europe during World War II. He proudly worked as an engineer for Missouri Pacific which later became Union Pacific railroad for 46 years before retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, was a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the Crescent Masonic Lodge #403 for over fifty years. JR was a longtime member of Baring Cross Baptist Church. He was active in community service in North Little Rock and served on the Civil Service Commission for North Little Rock, under Mayor Wm. F. "Casey" Laman from 1963-1973. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Hospice, 131 S. Westmeadow Dr., Suite 300, Cleburne, Texas 76033. A memorial service will be held at Baring Cross Baptist Church, 7541 Warden Road, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120, on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 2 p.m. Viewing will be from 12 to 9 p.m., Friday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.