Royce Lynn McSpadden

Royce Lynn McSpadden
April 2, 1937 - January 5, 2014
Born at Bethesda, Arkansas - died at Calico Rock, Arkansas

Parents: Byron Luster McSpadden & Frances Irene Brightwell McSpadden,
both of whom preceded him in death

Survived by: wife, Mary Catherine McSpadden; brother, Larry McSpadden (Ginny); one
nephew, Brad McSpadden (Tasha); one grand-niece, Morgen McSpadden; three grand-
nephews, Cameron, Evin, and Ryan McSpadden; one step daughter, Kate Hurley; one
step son, Jim Hurley (Ami); three step grandsons, Eli, Eddy, and Seth Hurley; several
aunts and uncles; many cousins; and a host of friends.

As the son of a Methodist preacher, Lynn lived in many towns in North Arkansas. He graduated from high school in Corning in 1955; from Hendrix College in Conway in 1959; and from Duke University Divinity School in 1962. He pastored churches in the former North Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and in Missouri. He was associate pastor of Barony Kirk, (Church of Scotland) in Glasgow, Scotland; and taught high school English in Farmington, Missouri. Lynn began making mountain dulcimers in 1962 and continued to practice that art through the end of 2000. Along with his brother and other talented craftsmen at The Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, he was responsible for the creating of more than 42,000 dulcimers. Those instruments have brought much joy to many hundreds of people in the United States and throughout the world.

He was a faithful son, a caring brother, the true love of his wife of nearly 42 years, a chronicler of family history and genealogy, a fair and conscientious employer, a concerned and involved step-parent, and a kind, gentle, brilliant, and funny man.

Lynn was active in the Ozark Foothills Handicraft Guild, the Gateway Tourist Council, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, and First United Methodist Church in Mountain View. He loved flying single-engine planes and restoring antique cars.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Zini and everyone at White River Health Care in Calico Rock (nurses, aides, those who cooked the food, cleaned the floors, and laundered the clothes, as well as the Hudson family and the administrative staff). They made Lynn's last days comfortable and safe, and treated him always with skill and respect. Thanks also to Gina Gall and White River Area Agency on Aging for their care for Lynn during his last days in his home. The staff and doctors at Senior Haven at White River Medical Center in Batesville gave kind care to Lynn and good advice to Mary Catherine.

The prayers, support, and kind words of Lynn's many friends have given comfort and some smiles to Mary Catherine during his health struggles.

If you do not smoke, or use tobacco in any form, don't start. If you are already a smoker, QUIT NOW! Emphysema is a miserable disease.

Memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church in Mountain View, Tuesday, January 14, at 1 P.M., with visitation following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Scholarship Fund, United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 74, Mountain View, AR 72560; Methodist Family Health, 1600 Aldersgate Road, #2000, Little Rock, AR 72205; Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202; or a charity of your choice.