Theron Steele Nunley Jr.

Theron Steele Nunley Jr, age 76, of Oden, Arkansas died Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the Mena Regional Health System. He was born on Wednesday, July 21, 1948, to Theron Steele Nunley Sr. and Ada Asenath Acrey in Houston, Texas.

Theron lived a life rich with adventure, dedication, and love. From a young age, he traveled the country with his parents, thanks to his father’s work as an engineer setting up chemical plants. His mother turned each journey into an adventure, ensuring they visited as many historical sites as possible. Theron began his high school years in Houston, where his family had relocated, and after graduation, he worked alongside his father in construction, taking on various odd jobs.

Theron’s early career was marked by his management of three stores in Laport, where he also served as a trainer. Later, he and his first wife opened a store in the Jasper area. His experiences as a substitute teacher and bus driver, and his wife being a teacher, sparked his passion for education, leading him to pursue a Master’s Degree for teaching. He taught gifted and talented students in elementary schools, a role he was deeply committed to. Theron earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from UCA and taught at three different schools before settling into a 17-year tenure at Sally Cone Elementary School in Conway. His dedication to his students was recognized in 2005 when he was named the Arkansas Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year.

Outside of teaching, Theron was a man of many talents. He spent summers at Silver Dollar City as a street actor during college and later became a card-carrying magician in Little Rock. A skilled chess player, he founded chess clubs in every school in Conway. After retiring in 2011 to care for his first wife, who sadly passed away that same year, Theron faced his own health challenges in 2013 but made a remarkable recovery. He then met and married Elizabeth, with whom he shared a wonderfully happy marriage. Theron cherished all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and he tutored them in their schoolwork whenever they required any help.

Theron was also a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in numerous capacities, including Primary, Bishopric, Sunday School President, and genealogy work. His life was one of service, dedication, and love for his family, faith, and community. He will be truly and dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Gloria Anderson Nunley.

Theron is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Nunley of Oden; his children, Theron Steele Nunley III and wife, Patricia, of Gastonia, North Carolina, Charles Thomas Nunley of Atlanta, Georgia, Kelly Ann Metcalf of Alvin, Texas, Michelle Nicole Davis of Perryville, Arkansas, Michael Ephraim Metcalf and wife, Nicole, of Oden, Robert Gregory Metcalf and wife, Sarah, of Magnolia, Texas, Pamela Renee Mager and husband, DJ, of Santa Fe, Texas, Jennifer Lynne Dixon of Benton; twenty-seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren that they know of; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 2:30 - 4:30 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints in Conway, Arkansas with Bishop Josh Routt officiating. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online guestbook: www.bowserffh.com