Henry Cornelious Templeton [Click to enlarge]

Henry Cornelious Templeton, 94, of Arlington, Texas, formerly of Piggott, died on Saturday, March 26, 2005.

He was the first child to be born in the new home on Cherry Street built by his father, W.D. "Buck" Templeton, on March 16, 1911. The home is now known as the "Pfeiffer-Janes House" and is part of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center.

Mr. Templeton attended First Baptist Church in Piggott with his family and asked Christ to be his Savior at age 16.

He left Piggott in 1930 to join the military to help his family survive the Great Depression. After 21 years (seven in the Army and 14 in the Air Force, where he retired at the rank of Major), he joined his wife and daughters in Grand Prairie, Texas. In 1964, the family moved to Arlington, where he lived for over 40 years.

Mr. Templeton enjoyed a successful career in real estate in Arlington and Grand Prairie. Over the years, he returned to visit family and friends in and around Piggott many times. After he could no longer travel, he continued to keep up with Piggott news with his subscription to The Piggott Times.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, "Sammie", on Sept. 1, 2000; and one step-daughter, Clyda Fry, on Jan. 7, 2005.

He is survived by one daughter, Janice Bransford of Arlington, Texas; two son-in-laws, Don Bransford of Arlington and Johnny Fry of Arlington; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Julious Templeton of Washington and Finis Templeton of El Paso, Texas; and many nieces and nephews around Piggott and in other states.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 31, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington.

Moore Funeral Home of Arlington, Texas, was in charge of the arrangements.