Robert Brannon Sloan Sr.

Robert Brannon Sloan Sr., 80, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. Bob was born in Jonesboro on November 8, 1933. His lifelong interests included music, specifically jazz piano, and sports, especially tennis and golf. He is survived by his daughter Melissa Griffy and her husband Tim Griffy of Richardson, Texas; his son R. Brannon Sloan Jr. of Little Rock; five grandchildren, Walker Griffy, Claire Griffy, Gracie Sloan, Cassie Sloan, and Carrie Sloan; and a brother Dr. James M. Sloan of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ralph M. Sloan Sr. and Betty Morrison Sloan of Jonesboro; and brother Ralph M. Sloan Jr. of Little Rock. At Jonesboro High School, Bob lettered in football, basketball and golf. At the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, he lettered in tennis and was a stand-out in intramural sports including football and basketball. After graduating with a marketing degree in 1956, he worked for Gatz Insurance Agency in Jonesboro and was active in local civic organizations such as the Jaycees and the YMCA. In 1958, he raised $10,000 for the Craighead County March of Dimes. In 1970, he was Craighead County campaign manager for Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller's re-election bid. Eventually Bob moved to Palm Beach County, Florida, where he was a tennis pro and a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association from 1971 until back surgeries forced him to retire in 1994. During the 1970s, he also took up jazz piano, continuing to teach and perform until his final illness. In recent years he often played at local churches such as Windover Baptist and First United Methodist, where he worshipped. He was also a member of the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation. After returning to Jonesboro in 1994, he managed Tribro Farms, a family partnership. Funeral service will be Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Winfred P. Bridges officiating and Emerson Funeral is in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park. There will be no public visitation. Memorials may be sent to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E Matthews Ave, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401; The First Tee of Arkansas, 1 First Tee Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204; or the athletic department at Jonesboro High School, 2506 Southwest Square, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.