Thomas Roy "T.R." States

Thomas Roy 'T.R.' States, Jr. was born on March 6, 1930, in the Garden Grove area near Prague, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at the age of 80. Roy, the son of Thomas Roy and Ethel (Cox) States, was a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas. He worked on the family farm near Prague until 1950. Roy served as a combat artillery officer, earning the rank of sergeant, in Korea during the Korean War. Following the war, he was employed by Cotton Belt Railroad. He worked for the company in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. Roy retired in 1993 after 38 years of service. His greatest joys were spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. Roy also enjoyed spending time with his friends over coffee. He was an animal lover who cared deeply for his dog, Sugar, and cat, Rosie. Roy’s parents, one sister, Mildred States, and granddaughter, Natalie Pilkinton, preceded him in death. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Tracy and Greg Pilkinton of Jonesboro, AR, Kathy States of Dallas, TX, Linda and Jack MacDonald of Menlo Park, CA, Toni and Lyle Wilson of Mesquite, TX; brothers, Bill States of Shawnee, OK, Ed States of Shawnee, OK, Alan States of Prague, OK; sisters, Muriel Mlynek of Prague, OK, June Smith of Choctaw, OK; grandchildren, Hunter, Grace, and Hallie MacDonald, Ryan, Anna, and Ben Wilson. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 7th Fl., New York, NY 10001. The States family will receive friends at Parks Brothers Funeral Home on Friday, July 2, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at Garden Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Prague, Oklahoma with Rev. Tim Coop officiating. Interment will follow at Garden Grove Cemetery in Prague, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.