Richard Broyles

Richard Broyles, 92, of Fort Smith, Ark. passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 in Fort Smith. He was born Sept. 30, 1921 in Fayetteville, Ark. to the late Floyd and Leila Broyles. He married Mary Tillery McFadden on April 10, 1953 in Fort Smith, Ark. Richard retired as a captain with the Fort Smith Fire Department in 1966 and then enjoyed an insurance career with Donoho & Sons later known as Donoho and Merry. He was a member of West-Ark Church of Christ in Fort Smith, Ark. Dad was a loving husband, father and brother. For many years he loved nothing better than working in the yard and took great pride in his wonderful vegetable garden, which he and mom always shared with family, friends and neighbors. He had a real kindness for animals, and as a firefighter resuscitated a little dog rescued from a burning structure. A long-time family pet was "Sandy" a cocker spaniel who showed up at the fire station one day. When the owner couldn't be determined, Dad brought him home. Dad was an avid fan of The Arkansas Razorbacks and the New York Yankees, and enjoyed watching the Dallas Mavericks games on TV. He was proud of his Yankees watch that never left his arm, and a Derek Jeter keychain. Dad was a "Friday regular" at the Western Sizzlin on Rogers Avenue and loved every bite of his chopped steak with baked potato, all the coffee he could drink and ice cream for dessert. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Mary; two daughters, Cynthia Remler of Fort Smith, Ark. and Beverly McMillin of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; one sister, Winifred England of Seminole, Okla.; four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. A special thank you goes to his primary caregiver, Jill Barker and everyone at Home Instead Senior Care. Funeral services are 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2014 at West-Ark Church of Christ with burial to follow in Forest Park Cemetery with the Fort Smith Fire Department serving as honor guard under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Ark. Pallbearers are Richard England, Rick Carson, Stan Burkhart, Philip Merry, Charlie Dye and Tommy Bishop. Mr. Broyles may be viewed Saturday from 12-4 p.m. and Sunday from 12-5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of lowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Sebastian County Humane Society P.O. Box 10953 Fort Smith, Ark. 72917-0953 Online tributes may be made at www.ockerputmanfuneralhome.com.