of Mountain Home, AR
May 10, 1918 - June 5, 2015
Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law and dear friend Roy E. Danuser died peacefully in Mountain Home on June 5, 2015, at the age of 97. He was born to Caroline Mae (Jennings) Danuser and Roy Danuser in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10, 1918. The family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he spent his youth helping his parents with the Jersey dairy started by his grandmother. As a senior in high school, he and his debate partner were national debate champions. He worked his way through the University of Arkansas by digging ditches, working in the firehouse, and learning to type. In 1942, after graduation from the University of Arkansas law school, he married the love of his life, Delphia Lucille Morrison, the beautiful secretary in a judge's office in Russellville. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps and was a ''hump pilot,'' flying missions over the Himalayas in India, Burma, and China.
After the war he returned to Malvern, Arkansas, to practice law and was appointed Circuit Judge for Hot Springs County by Governor Sid McMath. In this capacity he became highly regarded for his courage and fairness in very high-profile cases. Among other things, he issued an order making it necessary for a jury panel to include an African American member when an African American was being tried.
Roy Danuser practiced law and had title companies in Benton and Little Rock. In 1954 he took over the law practice of his lifelong college friend Ernie E. Wright, who had been elected Circuit Judge in Mountain Home. He practiced law in Mountain Home until last year, when he retired as the oldest practicing lawyer in Arkansas at the age of 96. He was honored to represent large corporations and distinguished individuals, but his favorite clients were often the disadvantaged and downtrodden.
He served his community in many ways and was a respected and beloved civic leader, spearheading the effort for a community hospital in Bull Shoals and supporting the development of Baxter Regional Hospital. With his dear friends Rosemary and George Fisher he developed Mountain Village 1890, Bull Shoals Caverns, and Top of the Ozarks tower.
He was deeply devoted to his family, his friends, and his trout fishing, and he was widely known as a great story-teller. Many members of the Arkansas Bar Association were like an extended family to him. He often said that he lived in the most beautiful part of the country. His wife Delphia preceded him in death in 2006. He is survived by his sister, Anna Meredith (Jack) of Houston, nephew Roy Meredith (Kathy), nephew Rex Meredith, niece Nancy Seliger (Kel), daughters Nancy Jane Reed (Dwain), Mary Ann Looney (Doug), and Beverly D. Richardson (Peter), and six grandchildren: Christopher A. Reed (Katrina) and Emily Reed (Monika) of Mountain Home, Mark Looney (Dorothy) of Vietnam, Shannon Ulbrick (Fred) of Connecticut, Laura Elizabeth Doll and Elerina Aldamar of Oregon, and many great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Rodney Steele officiating. A visitation will be Wednesday from Noon until 9:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Baxter Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation in his name to Mayo Clinic (200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905) and/or Hospice House of Mountain Home.
Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home.
Sign Guestbook
20 Condolence(s)
Gerald B Oates
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Met Roy when i bought the village in 10/2006 Kept in touch with him through the years. Learned a lot about his history in the area. He was a great man to know....rip
Gene McVay
Thursday, June 11, 2015
It was a pleasure to know Roy as I grew up in Mountain Home. Beverley and I wrote a column for the MHHS Bomber Newspaper. As an Air Force Pilot I met a few "Hump" pilots including Roy and have the deepest respect and admiration for all of them.
Roy was a giant in Arkansas who contributed to the prosperity of our state.
May God grant that peace that exceeds all understanding to the Danuser Family.
Linda (Collins) Cagle
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Nancy and Dwain, I'm so very sorry for you loss. You and your family are in my prayers
Julie Pierce
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Thoughts and special prayers for you and your family. May God bless you and comfort you in the loss of your father.
Phil Cheryl Bradley
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Beverly, Nancy & Family--Sorry for your loss. What a great man! He will be missed.
Our Love-Phil& Cheryl
Brigitte Shipman
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Nancy and Emily,
I am very sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Brigitte
BOB SKIBBE
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
I had the pleasure of meeting Roy Danuser 21 years ago when I moved to this beautiful area.
We became friends throughout the years and am humbled for his friendship..
We had lunch many times over those years. The last was a year ago on his Birthday.
I am privileged to to have known Mr. Roy Danuser. The most remarkable person I have ever met.
Bob Skibbe
Jay and Virginia Reed
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Sorry to hear about your loss. Roy will be missed.
Paula Roddy
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Emily&Nancy&all the family-so sorry for your loss
My deepest sympathy to all
Paula Roddy(HARRIS)
Linda Napier
Monday, June 8, 2015
I sure will miss seeing him. He always had a smile on his face and was such a kind person.
Abbi Christler - Veteran Service Officer
Monday, June 8, 2015
Mr. Danuser was not only one of my veterans, but I considered him a dear friend. I want to thank Mr. Danuser for his selfless time in the military and everything he has done for our community. He was an amazing man and will truly be missed!
Juanita Swetnam Smith
Monday, June 8, 2015
So sorry for your loss. My thought's and prayer's are with you. Juanita Smith.
Julia Reed
Monday, June 8, 2015
My love to all the family. Grandpa was a great man and will be missed. My God bless each and every one of the family members.
Paula K. Bodenhamer
Monday, June 8, 2015
Nancy and family - You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Truly blessed to have known Roy.
Dave Crenshaw
Monday, June 8, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Danuser's passing. Mr. Danuser provided me with my first employment opportunities. Having worked seven summers at Mountain Village 1890, Bull Shoals Caverns, and Top O' the Ozarks Tower, I learned great life lessons from Roy. He was patient, generous, and kind to me during those years. Without that opportunity, completing my college education would have been far more difficult. I offer my condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.
john & kaye schratz
Monday, June 8, 2015
ALWAYS ENJOYED VISITING WITH ROY ON MY 6-8 WEEK TRIPS TO MT. HOME. FRIEND OF MY FAMILY SENCE 1940'S WHEN HE & MY DAD WERE IN AIRFORCE TOGHTER. HE WILL BE MISSED & WE PRAY FOR HIM & HE'S FAMILY
Wesley Smith
Monday, June 8, 2015
Nancy (Reed) and Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Heaven has gained another angel. Prayers for you and yours.
-Wes Smith
Jane Ketchum
Sunday, June 7, 2015
My heart is so heavy. You are all in my thoughts an prayers. We loved Roy an will miss him. I know Bob met him an they are telling stories. Love you all. Jane an Robert Ketchum.
Jim Bodenhamer
Sunday, June 7, 2015
I had the pleasure of knowing Roy the person and Roy the lawyer. It was always a pleasure to
just run into him on the street. As a reporter I marveled at his demeanor in the courtroom. A true gentleman.
Craig Carty
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Nancy & Dwain, So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Craig & Jan