Dr. Richard Kent Lovell Obituary (1930

Dr. Richard K. Lovell, 83, of Russellville, died Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at Legacy Heights Nursing Home in Russellville. The son of James and Beulah Smith Lovell, he was born July 3, 1930 in Paris. He was a 1947 graduate of Paris High School. Dr. Lovell's military service spanned over 40 years. He served in the Korean War with the United States Navy, and after receiving the Purple Heart medal, referred to the injury as, "just a scratch". Twenty years later, Dr. Lovell was called upon to serve again, in the war in Vietnam for an eight month tour of duty. He later transferred to the Arkansas Army National, retiring in 1992 at the rank of COL. Then at the age of 60, Dr. Lovell's skill set as an ophthalmologist were needed in the war in Kuwait in 1990-1991 during Operation Desert Storm with the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade. While serving in Kuwait with the 148th Medical Hospital (Evacuation), he received his 2nd Purple Heart award. He later admitted, "this one actually hurt". Dr. Lovell was a decorated soldier, having received the Army's Silver Star Medal, Two Bronze Star Medals, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. He also received the Army's Combat Infantryman's Badge. Elizabeth Sue "Betty" Johnson and Richard were married on June 6, 1956 in Paris. He earned a BS in Engineering at the University of Arkansas and later earned his MD at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. During Dr. Lovell's medical career as an Ophthalmologist with the Russellville Eye Surgery Clinic, he performed several thousand surgeries. He was an adjunct professor at UAMS and at Arkansas Tech University. Working with Dr. Charles Wilkins and ATU administration, he was instrumental in forming the Nursing Program at ATU. A believer in education, he practiced being a lifelong learner. He was a member of the Pope County Medical Society, Arkansas Medical Society, American Academy of Ophthalmologist, and the Southern Medical Association. An avid supporter of the young people in Russellville, he served as a Scout Master for Troop 227 and Troop 225. He was a member of the Russellville Noon Rotary Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Pope County Retired Military Officers Association of America. He enjoyed Antique Cars, fishing, walking and running, and held a private pilots' license. He was a coin collector, owning several Morgan Silver dollars and was a student and teacher of the bible. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lovell. He is survived by a daughter, Alicia Freeman and her husband, Robert, Sallisaw, OK; a Son, Richard Kent Lovell and wife Lynn, Paris; three grandchildren, Keely and Addie Freeman, Sallisaw, OK, Zach Lovell, Springfield, MA. Graveside service will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, May 10, 2014 at McKendree Cemetery in Scranton. Rev. Don Erwin will officiate. Burial with full military honors by the US Army will be under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to McKendree Cemetery Trust Fund, C/O Joe Matt Freeman, 2281 East State Hwy 197, Subiaco, AR 72865. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Legacy Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com. PDF Printable Version