Royle Bradford Luker, born on March 15, 1924, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, bravely served his country during World War II. As a Fireman Third Class in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia, he gave his all and was killed in the line of duty during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. For his valor and sacrifice, he was awarded numerous honors, including the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Navy Expeditionary Medal. He was also recognized as a World War II Gold Star Veteran from Arkansas.

Royle is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii, a testament to his enduring legacy. He was the beloved son of George F. Luker, a veteran of the First War, and Nettie Estelle David Luker. His family, some of whom resided in Kingston, Yell County, Arkansas, during his deployment, remembers him with pride and love.

For decades, he was listed as killed in action, but his remains were declared unidentified, or "non-recoverable". Advances in forensic science (DNA) along with Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency were able to reopen cases and compare samples to living relatives to restore his name. More than 80 years later, DNA from Royle Luker and a family's willingness to share their DNA bridged the gap between loss and knowing. He will now be returned home and laid to rest.

He is survived by two nephews, Donald Bradford Henderson, John Luker and a niece, Becky Downen Lensing.

Graveside funeral services with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at New Bethel Cemetery near Plainview, Arkansas, located on Kingston Road. Royle will be laid to rest alongside his parents, George F. and Nettie Estelle Luker, honoring his memory and the sacrifices made by his family.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle, Arkansas. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com