Funeral services and visitation for Roy Louis Southard of Athens will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Palestine Wednesday July 19, 2017. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. and services will begin at 2 p.m. Rev. David Adler will be officiating. Interment will be at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery in Dallas at a later date.
Roy was the last of four children born to Harold E. and Mabel A. (nee) Berges Southard. He was born April 5, 1943 in Topeka, Kansas, and The Lord in His goodness and mercy called him from this life to Himself in heaven July 14, 2017. He married Karen Ann Wappler June 7, 1969. They were blessed with one son, David.
After graduating from Topeka High, he joined the Army for three years. He was honorably discharged to continue his education. Roy earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree. He became a teacher in the Big Spring Texas Independent School District. His Doctor of Education was earned at Texas Tech University along with seven teaching Certificates. Roy became an assistant Professor of Education at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He then attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He served St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, Kansas, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Herrington, Kansas and Concordia Lutheran in Houston, Texas.
Preceding Roy in death were his parents and his brother Payne.
Roy is survived by his wife Karen, son; David of Albuquerque, N.M., sister; Selena Kennedy of Bayfield, Colorado, his brother Charles of Topeka, Kansas; and his nieces and nephews.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Palestine, Texas or to The Rev. and Karen Ann Southard Endowment Fund at Concordia Theological Seminary 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46825.