Roy L. Bosson 

Roy L. Bosson, age 88, retired national trade organization executive, former Arkansas and Idaho newspaperman, and patriarch of a large and loving family, died Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999, at the Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler. 

A direct descendant of a French Huguenot family which migrated to America in 1629, Mr. Bosson was born in White County, Tenn., on Sept. 15, 1911. His family later moved to Hot Springs, Ark., where Roy spent his formative years. In 1930, Mr. Bosson began a 24-year journalistic career as a sports writer and police reporter for the New Era and Sentinel Record in Hot Springs, Ark., (his starting salary was $7 per week). 

During World War II, Roy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a proud member of the Warren Townsend Post No. 1, American Legion of Little Rock, Ark. After the war, Mr. Bosson joined the Twin Falls, Times-News (Idaho) as editor and writer. He subsequently returned to Arkansas as a political writer and columnist for the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and, at various times, was a member of the New York City Chapter, the National Chapter of Washington D.C., and the Mid-South Chapter of Memphis, Tenn. 

Following retirement from the Brewers Association, Mr. Bosson returned to Arkansas where, in semi-retirement at Hot Springs Village, he served as president, executive director and consultant to the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. In this capacity, Roy was instrumental in the organization of a national association of wholesale beer distributor executives. 

Active in church affairs and a staunch believer in the power of prayer, Mr. Bosson's life saw him as the first president and part-time teacher of the Fisherman's Class of the Pulaski Heights Methodist Church of Little Rock, Ark.; charter member of First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs; and charter member and senior warden of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark. 

Mr. Bosson gave graciously of his time and believed strongly in volunteerism. Among his many public service accomplishments, the one closest to his heart was his ability to launch a multi-million dollar building program to rebuild derelict school rooms for the Arkansas School for the Blind and Deaf. He did this as chairman of the school's Board of Trustees. 

Mr. Bosson moved to Athens in 1992 to be closer to his family. He could frequently be seen strutting around the Cain Center in the early morning hours with his walking partner and good buddy, Muffin. 

Mr. Bosson was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Eva Elizabeth Bosson, who died Feb. 8, 1994. Roy is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Jim Baum of Athens; son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Lisa Bosson of Wimberley and son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Annette Bosson of Hot Springs, Ark. Mr. Bosson's family included 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, (Roy had great expectations that this number might reach 12), and one sweet and completely devoted furry companion - Muffin. 

The family will receive friends at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Saturday morning from 10-11 o'clock. Graveside services will be held for family and close friends at the Athens City Cemetery at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon. 

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Kevin Baum, Danny Baum, Jeb Baum and Ricky Bosson. At 4p.m., Memorial Eucharist services will be held at St. Mathais Episcopal Church in Athens. 

According to Roy's wishes, the family welcomes you to join them in a celebration of Roy's life which will take place immediately following the memorial service and will be held at Gail and Jim Baum's residence on Lake Athens. 

Memorials or donations should be sent to the place where Roy found his walking partner - the Henderson County Humane Society, or to St. Mathais Episcopal Church of Athens. 

Roy died as he lived - with dignity, grace and courage surrounded by those who love him the most. He stands as an icon to this family and a model for successful, living. He will be missed...