09/11/2025
American Legion Post 21 lost a true Patriot
December 18, 1943 — September 8, 2025
Richard Allen Carvell of Jonesboro, AR died peacefully in his home on September 8, 2025. He was born on December 18, 1943, in Brinkley, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte Ameilia Carvell and Robert Carvell, siblings Harriett Fowler, Louise Pearson, Bob Carvell, and Mary Bragg, and two grandchildren Courtland Stinson Carvell and Ruby Lenore Carvell. Survivors include his wife, Linda Sue Carvell; sons, James Carvell (Amber), Jon Carvell (Emily), David Carvell (Tiffany), Dean Collins, Richard Carvell, Jr. (Tracey), grandchildren Norah Carvell, Lydia Carvell, Meredith Carvell, Cassie Collins, Morgan Goff (Nathan), and great-granddaughter Daisy Kay Michelle Goff. Children and grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Richard graduated from Brinkley High School in 1962, earned a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State College in 1966, then put his education on hold to serve as an Air Force Captain in Vietnam before returning to complete a master’s degree at the University of Illinois-Champaign in 1971. He then began a 37-year career at Arkansas State University as a professor of radio-television, station manager for KASU and chair of the Department of Radio-TV in the College of Communications. During that time he volunteered in multiple service roles in the community, including at Huntington Avenue United Methodist Church, which later became Cornerstone UMC, on the Nettleton School Board, the NEA United Cerebral Palsy Board, the AR Boys State Annual Conference, Disabled American Veterans, and many more. The Northeast Arkansas community remembers his voice as one that warned of impending severe weather when KASU received and repeatedly transmitted emergency alerts from the National Weather Service until the danger passed. Few may know that his first chosen career path before broadcasting was that of a Methodist minister beginning at Hendrix College, but none who knew his dedication to a Christian life will be surprised.
He enjoyed photography, bird watching, attending various ASU sporting events and programs featuring the arts, and spending time with his friends and family. The lives he touched are forever changed, and he will be missed in Arkansas and beyond.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, September 11th at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Service will be held at 10am on Friday, September 12th, also at Cornerstone UMC. Burial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Carvell Family Scholarship Fund at Arkansas State University. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.
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